More than ever, Pope Francis is urging families, educational and public institutions to protect children and tackle the scourge of child abuse. He described child abuse, paedophilia and child pornography, as “psychological murder.” Speaking to members of the Meter Association in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on May 15, the pope noted that the Internet is Read more
The Jesuit priest who oversaw President Biden’s inaugural Mass resigned from his post as president of Santa Clara University this week. The resignation came after an internal investigation found he engaged in behaviours that conflicted with the Jesuit order’s “protocols and boundaries,” according to a statement issued by the school Wednesday. The Rev. Kevin O’Brien, Read more
Catholic proponents of nuclear disarmament have joined scientists in calling on President Joe Biden to pursue an ambitious plan to end the threat nuclear weapons pose to the planet. In a statement to the White House, a group of 14 disarmament advocates – seven Catholics, including three bishops, and seven scientists – urged Biden to Read more
A proposed law in the UK aiming to bolster the protection of free speech could impose fines on universities if they fail to protect freedom of speech for students, staff, and visiting speakers. Among the bill’s provisions is one that would allow visiting speakers, academics, and students to seek compensation if they suffer loss because Read more
The social media WeChat account of Radio Veritas Asia’s Mandarin service has been shut down by Chinese authorities, said a Catholic priest who works in the Church-run organization. The account was reportedly closed on May 10. The priest who asked not to be named for reasons of security told LiCAS.news that “for a long time” Read more
A synodal church is “fundamental” to Pope Francis’ vision for women in the Church, papal biographer Austen Ivereigh says. In such a church, women challenge clericalism without being co-opted by it, Ivereigh told a webinar on the role of women in church leadership. Ivereigh said Francis had indicated the vital need for those women to Read more
A proposed paper about US Catholic politicians’ “worthiness to receive Communion” if they support legislation permitting abortion, euthanasia or other moral evils has had some advice from the Vatican. US Catholic Bishops’ Conference (USCCB) president Archbishop José Gomez wrote to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in March, explaining the USCCB Read more
With many employers keen to keep their workforces working from home post-Covid, there are dangers for workers, according to two leading experts on employment. Will Hutton and Matthew Taylor told a Catholic social teaching conference that there were dangers from keeping people working from home even after lockdown ends. There was a risk of the Read more
Priests and Catholic pastoral workers in Germany defied the Vatican on May 10 by conducting blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. Organisers held a day of protest in response to the Vatican’s recent declaration that the Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions. The ceremonies, known as “Segnungsgottesdienste für Liebende,” or “blessing services Read more
Theology is at a turning point in a time when the Church is anesthetized by the lower number of vocations, ethical questions of society, and the pandemic, according to a leading Catholic thinker. Christoph Theobald SJ was a major figure at a recent May 5, “Today and Tomorrow. Imagining Theology” Vatican symposium on the future Read more