Australia’s largest coal miner, Glencore, says trade figures showing the fossil fuel eclipsed iron ore in May as the nation’s most valuable export underline its continuing importance in energy security, industry and the broader global economy. In a sign of coal’s enduring near-term demand despite accelerating global action on emissions, data from the Australian Bureau Read more
World
On retirement Francis won’t live in Vatican nor be called emeritus Pope
Thursday, July 14th, 2022Pope Francis said he would not live in the Vatican nor return to his native Argentina if and when he ever retires, but would instead like to find a church in Rome where he could continue hearing confessions. “I’m the bishop of Rome, in this case, the emeritus bishop of Rome,” Francis said in an Read more
Pope Francis considers it an ‘incoherence’ that President Biden, a Catholic, supports abortion rights
Thursday, July 14th, 2022Pope Francis has described it as an “incoherence” that President Joe Biden, a Catholic, is in favour of legal abortion. During an interview with Univisión and Televisa broadcast July 12, Pope Francis spoke about abortion and Biden’s position, after being asked whether to admit politicians who promote legal abortion to Holy Communion. The Holy Father Read more
Australia’s Plenary Council votes yes for Women Deacons
Monday, July 11th, 2022
Australia’s fifth plenary council (PC) finished on a united note on the final day of voting last Friday. The PC’s final acts will now be compiled and sent to Rome for ratification. PC vice president Bishop Shane Mackinlay says he believes “in time we will look back on this as an extremely significant event in Read more
Pope promises women will soon help select bishops
Monday, July 11th, 2022
Women will be given more top-level positions in the Holy See and will be allowed to help select bishops, Pope Francis has announced. The role of women in the Vatican hierarchy was one of the many Church and international topics the 85-year-old pontiff discussed in an interview last Saturday. A new constitution for the Holy Read more
Parish restructuring will buy time, but not much
Monday, July 11th, 2022
No priests, no Eucharist, no Mass – the situation for parishes in Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese looks critical. Thirty-four priests in the diocese have died since February 2020. The youngest was just 52. New proposals on restructuring parishes in the archdiocese will buy the Church some time. Not much though – between five and ten years Read more
Top Catholic university to offer diploma in abuse prevention
Monday, July 11th, 2022
A top Catholic university is set to offer a diploma programme in preventing abuse. The Institut Catholique of Paris (ICP) says the new multi-course programme focuses on preventing the various types of abuse – sexual, of authority and of conscience – that have plunged the Church into crisis. The idea was born after France’s Independent Read more
German plan for permanent ‘synodal council’ sparks backlash
Monday, July 11th, 2022
A plan to extend Germany’s “synodal way” indefinitely through a permanent “synodal council” isn’t pleasing all Church leaders. The proposed council would be a powerful “advisory and decision-making body” consisting of both bishops and lay people. If created, it would mark a radical change in the structure of the Catholic Church in Germany. Advocates say Read more
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh mocked at dinner
Monday, July 11th, 2022Following reports that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh left Morton’s DC steakhouse early on Wednesday night amid protests outside, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York took issue with media coverage of the incident. “Poor guy. He left before his soufflé because he decided half the country should risk death if they have an ectopic Read more
Shinzo Abe remembered for ‘great respect’ shown Catholic Church
Monday, July 11th, 2022Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was remembered, after his assassination on Friday, as a man who showed “great respect to the Catholic Church, particularly to the Holy See”. “Though we Catholic Bishops of Japan and the late Prime Minister had great differences in opinion over several issues including nuclear disarmament, nuclear energy policy and Read more