Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, a founder of the Taliban who will control prisons under the new government in Afghanistan, said strict punishment, including amputations and executions, will return. “Everyone criticized us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments,” Turabi said in Kabul during an interview, Read more
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Taliban founder says strict punishment, amputations to return to Afghanistan
Monday, September 27th, 2021“Some wanted me dead:” Pope acknowledges conservative critics
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021
Pope Francis has acknowledged his conservative critics saying “some wanted me dead” following his recent intestinal surgery. When a priest asked Francis how he was feeling, the pontiff showed his dark sense of humour, replying, “Still alive.” “Even though some wanted me dead. I know there were even meetings among priests who thought the pope Read more
Vatican says: no vaxx, no green pass – no entry
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021
Anyone wanting to go to the Vatican State will need a green pass before they’re allowed in. A green pass shows proof of COVID-19 vaccination, recovery from the virus or a negative COVID-19 test. The Vatican’s new entry rules, which take effect from 1 October, aim to keep the virus out of the independent city Read more
Given abuse reforms, expert says bishops have ‘no excuse’ for failure
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021
A leading Catholic child protection expert says bishops have ‘no excuse’ for failure, given the abuse reforms being developed by the Church. Father Hans Zollner SJ said progress is being made to deal with the problem of clerical sexual abuse. Speaking of recent reforms ahead of this week’s three-day summit on child protection taking place Read more
Catholic Church reform first up for discussion at plenary assembly
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021
The German bishops’ plenary assembly began on Monday with urgent appeals for Catholic church reform and a reminder to heed admonitions from Pope Francis. Opening the assembly, conference president Bishop Georg Bätzing called on all bishops to embrace radical change. Visible changes are needed soon in the German Catholic church reform project, he said. These Read more
First doctor sued under Texas heartbeat abortion law
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021
The new Texas heartbeat abortion law has claimed its first offender. The people who dobbed the offender in may get the first big payout for doing so. The doctor who said he performed an abortion in violation of the new state law was sued Monday by two non-Texas residents. This is thought to be the Read more
Girls excluded as Afghan secondary schools reopen
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021The Taliban have excluded girls from Afghan secondary schools, with only boys and male teachers allowed back into classrooms. Schoolgirls told the BBC they were devastated not to be returning. “Everything looks very dark,” one said. Taliban officials who seized power last month said they were working to reach a decision on the matter. Many Read more
Slovak bishop who met Pope Francis last week tests positive for COVID-19
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021A Slovak bishop of the Greek-Catholic Church, who met Pope Francis when the pontiff visited the central European country last week, tested positive for COVID-19 and is in self-quarantine, the church said. Pope Francis visited Hungary and Slovakia between Sep 12-15, which was his first trip since having surgery in July. He presided at a Read more
Rebuilding of France’s Notre Dame Cathedral to begin after 2019 fire
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021France’s Notre Dame Cathedral is finally stable and secure enough for artisans to start rebuilding it, more than two years after the shocking fire that tore through its roof, knocked down its spire and threatened to bring the rest of the medieval monument down, too. The government agency overseeing the reconstruction announced in a statement Read more
Pope ‘accepts’ Afghan’s wedding ring as sign of friendship, hope
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021When Pary Gul, a Christian woman from Afghanistan, met Pope Francis Sep 22, she gave him her wedding ring as a reminder of her husband, who has disappeared and may be dead. According to the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis accepted the ring, but only on the condition that Gul keep it for him Read more