Less than a month after meeting briefly with Pope Francis in Kazakhstan, one of the Russian Orthodox Church’s most senior prelates has said that relations between the two churches are more or less at a standstill. In an interview with the “Church and Peace” programme on Russian television station Russia 24, Metropolitan Anthony Sevryuk of Read more
World
Top Russian prelate says relations with Vatican are ‘practically frozen’
Thursday, October 6th, 2022Belgium violated right to life in euthanasia case, European Court of Human Rights rules
Thursday, October 6th, 2022The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ruled that Belgium failed to conduct a proper investigation into the circumstances of the 2012 euthanasia of Godelieva de Troyer on the grounds of “untreatable depression”. The court found there was a violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights that everyone’s right to Read more
Sixty percent of churches need to close in five years
Monday, October 3rd, 2022
Sixty percent of the churches in a Catholic diocese in the Netherlands will close within the next five years. Dwindling numbers of churchgoers, volunteers and income are being being blamed. Bishop Jan Hendricks unveiled plans to around 90 parish administrators in the Haarlem-Amsterdam diocese last month. The 450-year old diocese dates back to 1559. It Read more
Russian Catholics, including clerics, fear conscription
Monday, October 3rd, 2022
A senior Russian priest said many young Catholics fear being forced into conscription along with their priests to join the war against Ukraine. The priest, who asked not to be named, also dismissed President Vladimir Putin’s threats of nuclear war as “just words”. “Although I’m not a military person, I don’t think the Russian army Read more
East Timor Catholics react with shock over Bishop Belo allegations
Monday, October 3rd, 2022
East Timor’s Catholics reacted with shock as well as expressions of support for revered Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys decades ago in the Southeast Asian nation. The United Nations and advocacy groups for survivors of clergy sexual abuse are urging Pope Francis to conduct a full inquiry into who knew Read more
Cardinal Zen trial adjourned by Hong Kong court
Monday, October 3rd, 2022
A court in Hong Kong has adjourned the trial of outspoken Catholic activist Cardinal Joseph Zen and four co-defendants until October 26. Retired Catholic bishop and Cardinal Joseph Zen and five co-defendants pleaded not guilty at the West Kowloon Magistrates Court to failing to properly register their 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which offered financial, legal Read more
Archdiocese of Baltimore could close parishes after pandemic empties pews
Monday, October 3rd, 2022
The Archdiocese of Baltimore could close some parishes at the end of a new initiative to reimagine Catholic life in the city. 62 of the archdiocese’s 147 parishes – 47 in Baltimore City and 15 outside city parishes – are involved in the initiative. According to archdiocesan data, 20 per cent of city pews were Read more
Nicaragua president calls church a dictatorship, bishops ‘murderers’
Monday, October 3rd, 2022Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega blasted Catholic leaders as a “gang of murderers,” in comments amping up persecution of the church and scorning Pope Francis’ call for dialogue in the Central American country. In a fiery address, Ortega took aim at Nicaragua’s Catholic bishops for promoting democracy as an exit from the country’s political crisis, alleging Read more
US says further work to do after signing Pacific Islands partnership
Monday, October 3rd, 2022The United States has conceded it let its relationship with Pacific Island nations “drift” before reaching an historic new partnership agreement with the region. US President Joe Biden hosted a dozen Pacific Island leaders in Washington amid increasing US concern about China’s growing influence. The US secured the support of all those attending for a Read more
Police film those entering Hong Kong cathedral for Queen’s memorial service
Monday, October 3rd, 2022Police officers in Hong Kong videotaped Christians outside the city’s Anglican cathedral as they gathered this week to mourn and pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who died earlier this month. Officers from a 12-member police team stationed outside St John’s Cathedral in central Hong Kong on the evening of 25 September captured video footage Read more