Sri Lankan prosecutors have indicted the alleged mastermind of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings along with 24 men they say are co-conspirators in the island’s worst single “terror” attack. Nearly 300 people including dozens of foreign nationals were killed in the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels, in a wave Read more
World
3.3 million girls at risk of child marriage due to Covid-19
Thursday, October 7th, 2021A new report, Wednesday, from World Vision shows the devastating impact of Covid-19 on girls in the developing world. The report, How COVID-19’s impact on hunger and education is forcing children into marriage, warns that an additional 3.3 million girls globally are at high risk of child marriage. The World Vison report reveals that the Read more
Three Swiss Guards quit over refusal to take COVID vaccine
Thursday, October 7th, 2021Despite an oath to give their lives defending the pope, three members of the Vatican’s fabled Swiss Guard have abandoned the small force due to refusal to comply with a recent mandate to possess either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or the results of a negative COVID test within the past 48 hours in order to Read more
Vatican’s Academy for Life takes on vaccine sceptics
Monday, October 4th, 2021
Last week, three events involving the Catholic Church may have caught the attention of vaccine sceptics. One event concerned prominent Catholic leader and vaccine sceptic, US Cardinal Raymond Burke. He admitted he’s still having breathing difficulties after being hospitalised for COVID-19. Another involved a decree formalising the Vatican’s decision regarding its employees. Secretary of State Read more
Australians search for answers to Plenary Council’s questions
Monday, October 4th, 2021
So far 220,000 Australians have answered the Plenary Council’s question, “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” In 2015, Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge says he was asking himself something similar. There was a government-mandated investigation into sexual abuse in the church and Australian Catholics were leaving the faith. Read more
China power cuts hit homes, factories; threatens growth
Monday, October 4th, 2021
Northeastern China is experiencing power cuts because of coal shortages and the tightening of emissions standards. The power cuts have hit millions of homes in China and halted production at factories, including some supplying Apple and Tesla. “Power cuts eight times a day, four days in a row … I’m speechless,” wrote one frustrated user Read more
German Catholic leaders challenge Pope Francis with support for same-sex blessings
Monday, October 4th, 2021
German Catholic bishops and lay leaders called for their church to bless same-sex relationships, challenging a Vatican ban on the practice. The move increased pressure on Pope Francis to respond to the Germans’ progressive drive, which conservatives have warned could split the worldwide church. At a meeting in Frankfurt on Friday, German church leaders voted Read more
Ten church ministers resign over vaccine
Monday, October 4th, 2021
Ten church ministers in Fiji have resigned because they do not want to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Others are openly against the vaccine. Rules about vaccination status are being made for church employees. Everyone has a view. There has been pressure on the clergy to get the injections since the Government’s ‘No jab, no job’ Read more
“Online worship is a loss, not a gain” say researchers
Monday, October 4th, 2021
A “deep-seated dissatisfaction” with online worship during the Covid-19 pandemic has been identified by new research published this week. In a year-long joint project by the University of Chester and Manchester Metropolitan University, researchers held focus groups with hundreds of members of the public and clergy about their perceptions of religious life during COVID-19. “Rituals Read more
Re-education of Russian pastors likely
Monday, October 4th, 2021As of October 3 Russian authorities will verify the formation of pastors for faith communities, especially those who have studied abroad. The verification will be of the “religious formation received” by servants of the cult of all religions. The newly renewed Duma will have the power to approve or not “the activity of servants of Read more