New administrative measures on religious staff, released by China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs in February 2021, will come into effect on 1 May amid concerns from some religious leaders about their restrictive nature. One human rights lawyer described the measures as “one more weapon in (the Chinese authorities’) arsenal to limit or further persecute Read more
World
Heaven doesn’t need saints canonized, people do, cardinal says
Thursday, May 6th, 2021The Catholic Church’s proclamation of new saints demonstrates that it is possible for men and women to live holy lives and that God is present and at work in the world, said the prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. “It’s useful on earth, not for heaven,” said Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect, when asked, Read more
Pope Francis to open event on Italy’s demographic decline
Thursday, May 6th, 2021The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis will open an event on Italy’s demographic decline as the country’s birth rate has hit a historic low. Pope Francis will give the opening remarks for the General States of Birth initiative on May 14 at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, just outside the walls of Vatican City State. Read more
Blood of St. Januarius liquefies in Naples
Thursday, May 6th, 2021The blood of St. Januarius, patron of the southern Italian city of Naples, liquefied on Sunday. Naples archdiocese announced that the miraculous event took place at 5:18 p.m. local time on May 2. A video posted to YouTube on May 3 showed a monsignor displaying the reliquary and turning it to demonstrate that the blood Read more
Same-sex mass blessing “not helpful”
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
A mass same-sex blessing across 56 cities in Germany has been labelled “not helpful”. The president of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, has criticized the upcoming Catholic-backed initiative saying blessings should not be used as a political statement. The blessing service initiative was organised immediately after the Vatican formally said no to same-sex Read more
German church’s reform is not “too Protestant” says bishop
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
The German bishops’ conference president has criticised Vatican officials who regard the German Church’s reform dialogue as “too Protestant” and threatening to church unity. “For many Vatican officials, the German Catholic Church smells Protestant,” Bishop Georg Bätzing said in an online round table discussion. This did not apply “to top level Vatican officials like prefects Read more
Cardinals and bishops to face Vatican criminal tribunal
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
Cardinals and bishops can now face criminal trials in the Vatican tribunal and be judged by lay magistrates after Pope Francis issued a new decree. This is a further message from the pope to Vatican-based cardinals and bishops about his intent to hold them accountable for criminal misconduct. It is a message he has been Read more
Pope Francis is a ‘reason for hope’ says Jane Goodall
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
World-renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall says Pope Francis stand on the environment gives her a reason for hope for the future. Goodall has added her voice to the Vatican’s in calling for the defence of biodiversity. She has seen hopeful trends in the global fight to protect the environment, one of which is Pope Francis. “One Read more
Institute of Anthropology to broaden understanding of abuse in Catholic Church
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
The Center for Child Protection (CCP), founded in 2012, is to have a new name with a broader focus on understanding abuse cases in the Catholic Church. The Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care (IADC) will open next September at the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Its purpose is to Read more
Pope ousts leadership of Ecuadorian diocese amid complaints
Monday, May 3rd, 2021Pope Francis responded Wednesday to reports of poor governance, financial mismanagement and moral failings in the Ecuadorian diocese of Riobamba by not only accepting the resignation of the retiring bishop but that of his heir apparent as well. Francis on Wednesday accepted the resignations of Bishop Julio Parrilla Diaz, who turned 75 last month, and Read more