Pope Francis, delivering his Sunday address to a live audience for the first time in more than a month, called for a lowering of tensions in eastern Ukraine and expressed anxiety over a military buildup. “Please! I strongly hope that an increase in tension can be avoided. On the contrary, there is a need for Read more
World
Top court clears cardinal of concealing predator priest’s sex-abuse
Thursday, April 15th, 2021
France’s highest court for civil cases as cleared Catholic cardinal Philippe Barbarin (70) of concealing a predator priest’s sex abuse of minors. The Court of Cassation agreed with an appeals court that ruled the nine victims who filed suit against Barbarin some five years ago could have directly filed a complaint against the now-defrocked priest, Read more
Catholic Church builds mosque for internally displaced Muslims
Thursday, April 15th, 2021
The Catholic Church has built a mosque for internally displaced Muslims at a camp in Yola, northeastern Nigeria. The Bishop of Yola’s Catholic Diocese, Stephen Mamza, says since 2014 the Diocese has helped care for the displaced victims of Boko Haram insurgency who ran to Yola for refuge. Mamza says Church authorities didn’t ask what Read more
Online abuse – Vatican expert calls out big tech
Thursday, April 15th, 2021
A leading expert in child protection says big tech companies are reluctant to use profits to prevent online abuse and the exploitation of minors. Speaking to Crux, German Jesuit Father Hans Zollner said advancing developments in technology, are “allowing new forms of abuse online to take root.” “The internet and new technologies represent fertile ground Read more
Catholic priests and nuns kidnapped in Haiti
Thursday, April 15th, 2021
Kidnappers are demanding $1 million for the release of ten Catholics in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Five priests and two religious sisters are among the group who were heading to the installation ceremony of a new parish priest when they were kidnapped. Michel Briand, one of the victims, is a member of the Society Read more
Major Vatican conference on priesthood planned for 2022
Thursday, April 15th, 2021
The Vatican has announced a major theological conference titled “Toward a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood”. It will be held in February 2022. Increasing vocations to the priesthood, improving the way laypeople and priests work together and ensuring that service, not power, motivates the request for ordination are all possible outcomes of the 3-day symposium. Read more
Documentary says Benedict XVI’s secretary tried to convince him not to resign
Thursday, April 15th, 2021A documentary being released on Benedict XVI’s 94th birthday states that his personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, tried to dissuade him from abdicating the papacy. “Benedict XVI, the Pope Emeritus,” directed by Andrés Garrigó, will be released April 16 by Goya Productions. The film will focus on Benedict’s papacy, and his time as prefect of Read more
Polish church welcomes police ‘regret’ for intrusion
Thursday, April 15th, 2021Prominent Catholic clergy have welcomed a statement of regret by Metropolitan Police officials for a Good Friday raid on a south London church, during which the Polish congregation was threatened with fines and arrest for allegedly infringing coronavirus restrictions. “The word regret says a great deal – we feel the situation has been clarified, while Read more
Colorado seeks to legalize human composting
Thursday, April 15th, 2021Colorado might become the second state to legalize human composting and allow human remains to be composted after a person passes away. Colorado would come alongside Washington state in providing the ability for people to allow their bodies to be turned into soil after they die. The legislative move was attempted by lawmakers last year, Read more
Pope asks US bishop to resign after cover-up investigation
Thursday, April 15th, 2021A bishop in Minnesota resigned Tuesday at the request of Pope Francis after he was investigated by the Vatican for allegedly interfering with past investigations into clergy sexual abuse, officials said. The Vatican said Francis accepted the resignation of Crookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner and named a temporary replacement to run the diocese. Hoeppner is 71, Read more