Clergy in the Archdiocese of Toronto who have not received a COVID-19 vaccination must show proof of a recent negative coronavirus test to their pastor “prior to or immediately upon entering parish offices, or presiding at religious services,” according to new rules that Thomas Cardinal Collins outlined last week. “Beginning on October 8, 2021, we Read more
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Archdiocese of Toronto requires regular testing for unvaccinated clergy, employees
Thursday, September 30th, 2021French friars arrested after anti-5G protest
Thursday, September 30th, 2021Two traditionalist friars have been arrested in France for setting ablaze one telephone pole and trying to destroy a second one to “protect the population” against what they believed were the harmful effects of the new 5G wireless network recently installed there. The friars, 39 and 40 years old, owned up to their acts and Read more
Synod’s about listening to the Holy Spirit, not gathering opinions
Monday, September 27th, 2021
Pope Francis says the two-year process leading to the 2023 synod on synodality is not about “gathering opinions,” but “listening to the Holy Spirit.” He repeatedly stressed the Holy Spirit’s role in decision-making. The three-phase synod opens next month with a diocesan phase, which will run until April. A second, continental phase will take place Read more
Parishoners should know of their priest’s vaccination status
Monday, September 27th, 2021
A US bishop says priests who don’t get vaccinated should be upfront about their COVID-19 vaccination status to others. Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky had already issued a mandate that all diocesan faculty and staff at Catholic schools must be vaccinated against the virus. The diocese let go of “a handful” of employees who Read more
Canadian archdiocese reverses vaccination proof for Mass
Monday, September 27th, 2021
An archdiocese in the Canadian province of New Brunswick has reversed its recent decision requiring proof of double vaccination for parishioners to attend masses, baptisms and prayer groups. Archbishop Valery Vienneau said the decision to change the policy followed a conversation between the four bishops of the Archdiocese of Moncton and the New Brunswick provincial Read more
Reserves of goodness needed to confront world’s challenges
Monday, September 27th, 2021
Humanity needed the “reserves of goodness present in human hearts” to confront the many challenges facing the world community says Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See made the comment in a video statement addressed to the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Referring to the theme of the Debate, Read more
Catholic archbishop suggests ‘exploring options’ to ensure only people assigned male at birth are ordained
Monday, September 27th, 2021
A US bishops’ conference leader has suggested exploring “various options” to ensure that only people assigned male at birth are ordained to the Catholic priesthood. Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki has alleged that transgender men have been “unknowingly admitted” to diocesan seminaries and houses of formation for religious orders. Listecki, who serves as the chairman of Read more
UN: Myanmar faces ‘alarming’ risk of escalating civil war
Monday, September 27th, 2021Myanmar is facing the alarming prospect of an escalating civil war as an uprising against the military junta widens, the UN’s human rights chief warned today. Michelle Bachelet told the United Nations Human Rights Council that time was running out for other countries to step up efforts to restore democracy and prevent a broader conflict. Read more
Covid outbreak in Philippine convent kills nine nuns
Monday, September 27th, 2021Nine nuns have died while several others are in critical condition after a Covid-19 outbreak last week struck down 62 sisters of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, the biggest female congregation in the Philippines. The dead nuns, aged 80 to 90, died due to a lack of vaccination, the congregation said on Sept. 23. Read more
I’d rather clerics come visit me in jeans – Pope Francis
Monday, September 27th, 2021Pope Francis told Cardinal Mario Grech that he would rather see clerics in jeans when visiting him, ditching their formal wear. Grech made the comments during an interview on Newsbook.com.mt with by Fr Joe Borg. Grech said that after he was raised to the rank of Cardinal, he attended a meeting with Pope Francis and Read more