More than 100,000 people are in limbo overseas due to an Australian migration policy appearing to lack compassion. Many are awaiting visas to join their partners who are in Australia. Due to the pandemic, Australia closed its borders to almost everyone except Australian citizens, permanent residents, resident New Zealand citizens or immediate family members. The Read more
New data released by the Vatican shows the number of Catholics is on the rise worldwide. However, the reduction in the numbers of priests is placing pressure on the fewer clergy. The number of Catholics grew 16 million to 1.33 billion in the past year according to figures released by the Vatican ahead of 2020 Read more
A man living in the same Vatican residence as Pope Francis has returned a COVID-positive test. The Vatican says those with whom the symptomless man had direct contact are in quarantine, as is he. The man is the first to test COVID-positive at the Santa Marta residence – which has about 130 rooms and suites Read more
A judge has sentenced a priest to federal prison for illegal entry and vandalism of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in St. Mary’s, Georgia. US District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood sentenced Stephen Michael Kelly, 71, of Massachusetts, to 33 months in federal prison. The judge also ordered Kelly, who has a long history of Read more
Pope Francis has made two major appointments at the Curia. He selected Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa to be a member of the Council of Cardinals. Bishop Marcello Semararo of Albano was appointed the new prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Cardinal Besungu takes the place of his predecessor in the Read more
Sexual exploitation of children has become rife in Fiji. And the problem is largely hidden from authorities and the public. These are findings in a joint survey by the NGOs Save the Children, and End Child Prostitution and Trafficking International. A recent UN report also revealed that abuse of children in Fiji is usually performed Read more
A self-described geopolitical analyst at the center of the most recent Vatican financial scandal is being held in an Italian jail pending extradition to the Vatican. Cecilia Marogna was arrested October 13 by Italian financial authorities after a warrant was issued by Vatican prosecutors through Interpol. Marogna has said she worked for the Holy See’s Read more
In a written statement covering a range of ethical concerns, the French bishops permanent council urges Catholics to express their opposition to changes to France’s bioethics laws. The proposed reforms have just passed the National Assembly on first reading and should be passed into law by early next year. They will allow assisted procreation to Read more
A woman arrested on Tuesday in connection with the latest Vatican financial scandal is said to be one of the sacked Vatican Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s staff. Becciu, a former top Vatican official was fired last month by Pope Francis, who accused him of embezzlement and nepotism. Becciu has denied all wrongdoing. Cecilia Marogna (39) was Read more
Pope Francis used his post-Angelus remarks to call for more female leadership in the church. He would like women to “participate more in areas of responsibility in the church.” “Today there is a need to broaden the spaces for a more incisive female presence in the church,” he said on October 11, “because in general Read more