Pope Francis met with international Jewish leaders on Tuesday as they launched an initiative to strengthen Catholic-Jewish bonds. “This visit testifies to and strengthens the bonds of friendship uniting us,” the pope told members of the World Jewish Congress at the Vatican Nov 22. Francis spoke with the executive committee of the international federation of Read more
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Pope Francis meets Jewish leaders as they launch initiative to strengthen Catholic-Jewish bonds
Thursday, December 1st, 2022Liturgy dispute: Protesting Catholics prevent apostolic administrator’s cathedral entry
Thursday, December 1st, 2022The liturgy dispute in a Catholic archdiocese in Kerala, southern India, took an ugly turn on Nov 27 when its administrator was prevented from forcibly entering the cathedral church to offer Sunday Mass. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, the administrator, came to St Mary’s Basilica Cathedral Church escorted by police to offer Mass in the synod-approved format Read more
UK Catholic bishop speaks out after woman with Down syndrome loses abortion law appeal
Thursday, December 1st, 2022The Catholic Church in England and Wales has spoken out against the UK’s abortion law, branding it “illogical and unjust,” after a woman with Down syndrome lost a legal challenge to the law relating to abortion and disability. In a ruling on Nov 25, the Court of Appeal ruled that the UK abortion law did Read more
Wanted: More women theologians
Monday, November 28th, 2022
Pope Francis had some suggestions for the International Theological Commission (ITC) when they met at the Vatican last Thursday. More women Francis suggested that the prestigious ITC could consider including more women in their group. Not because it’s the ‘done thing’ according to current fashion, he added. Rather, Francis suggests, women bring a different intellectual Read more
German Church changes labour rules, protects gays and divorcees
Monday, November 28th, 2022
The German Bishops Conference (DBK) has voted to update its labour rules. Now, it will no longer be concerned about certain aspects of its workers’ private lives. Until now, employees of Catholic institutions in Germany could lose their jobs if they were openly in a same-sex partnership or remarried after a divorce. The change means Read more
Vatican offers guidelines for faith-consistent investing
Monday, November 28th, 2022
The Vatican is providing investing guidelines to help Catholic institutions and individuals invest in a way consistent with the values of their faith. No investment of money is morally neutral; “either God’s kingdom is being advanced by the assets we deploy, or it is being neglected and undermined,” said a document titled “Mensuram Bonam”. Mensuram Read more
Belarus foreign minister dies suddenly ‘after secret talks to end war in Ukraine’
Monday, November 28th, 2022
The foreign minister of Belarus has suddenly died after reportedly holding secret talks to end the war in Ukraine. Vladimir Makei, 64, was seen as the primary communication channel to the West in dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s hardline pro-Russia regime. His death mysteriously came the day after he met with the Pope’s envoy Ante Jozić where Read more
Cardinal Zen fined by Hong Kong court over pro-democracy fund
Monday, November 28th, 2022
Retired bishop, Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, Friday, was convicted and fined along with five others after being found guilty by a Hong Kong court of failing to register a fund for pro-democracy protesters. Zen was first arrested in May on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed National Security Law. While Zen has Read more
Cardinal Becciu: media cost him chance at being pope
Monday, November 28th, 2022
An Italian court has dismissed Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s claims that unfavourable media coverage cost him the opportunity to be pope at the next Conclave. He has tried and failed twice to convince the court of his entitlement. Not only have Becciu’s claims been dismissed, but he has been ordered to pay thousands in damages and Read more
First online parish office opens in Poland’s Catholic church
Monday, November 28th, 2022Poland’s first online parish office has opened in the western city of Poznań, allowing Catholics to book a confession or arrange a baptism, wedding or funeral without leaving their homes. The IT system used by parishioners in the city’s Łacina district has been hailed by its developers as the future of the church at a Read more