The Netherlands’ assisted suicide proposal to allow assisted suicide for healthy individuals over the age of 75 has drawn widespread criticism. A similar proposal in 2016 also faced opposition. It offers death rather than social support to people who are lonely and depressed, critics say. Among the critics is Dr. Gordon Macdonald, head of the Read more
Human trafficking victims need greater protection says the Vatican-based international network of Catholic charities. Insufficient attention “was paid on the collateral damage of the ongoing pandemic, especially on migrants and informal workers, who are now more exposed to trafficking and exploitation,” Caritas Internationalis says. Caritas voiced its concerns to highlight the plight of human trafficking Read more
Sexual misconduct allegations against Catholic composer David Haas have led a leading supplier of sacred music to call for an investigation. As allegations of serial sexual misconduct against Haas continue to mount, GIA Publication want to know how his predatory behavior avoided scrutiny and accountability. GIA Publications, which distributed the Gather hymnals that included some Read more
While the Vatican Library remains closed to the greater public due to the coronavirus pandemic, its website has been complete retooled to make it more accessible and easier for scholars and amateur researchers to use. The library’s prefect, Msgr. Cesare Pasini told Vatican News that the revamped website, www.vaticanlibrary.va, was inaugurated on July 16 to Read more
During the Angelus on Sunday, a call invited young people around the world to perform “gestures of tenderness” toward the elderly, as many are forced into isolation to observe Covid-19 health guidelines. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life has quickly answered that call and launched ‘The elderly are your grandparents’ campaign. In a Read more
While life for minorities in Pakistan, particularly Christians, is often seen from afar solely as one of ongoing persecution and discrimination, there are exceptions. One of those is the late Sister Ruth Lewis, who spent her life serving the disabled in Karachi. Widely known and highly respected for her work with disabled children, Lewis was Read more
Catholic youth in Cuba have now made it possible for the country to get its first Catholic radio station in Cuba to broadcast online 24 hours a day. “Radio El Sonido de la Esperanza” of the Catholic Youth Network (RCJ) will now spread the Church’s message through the internet. It is “an online and permanent Read more
A Benedictine abbess who granted refuge to female asylum-seekers faces trial for refusing to pay a fine. The trial could become a landmark case for deciding if granting church asylum amounts to the offense of “aiding and abetting illegal residents,” as interpreted by German state prosecutors. Mother Mechthild Thurmer granted refuge to female asylum-seekers in Read more
Seven women are seeking leadership roles in the French Catholic Church heirarchy. These roles include positions as priests and bishops, which are officially reserved for men. This is the latest push to give women a significant place in the Catholic hierarchy. After submitting their candidacies for various leadership roles, including deacon, priest and bishop, the Read more
A Catholic convent in Michigan says it lost 13 nuns to coronavirus (COVID-19) in just two months – 12 of them between Good Friday, 10 April and 10 May. The 13th nun initially survived the virus but later died from complications in June. Ranging in age from 69 to 99, women were members of the Read more