The Chinese government has been ‘very successful in gaining a great deal of sway over the papacy’ through a ‘secret deal’ negotiated between Pope Francis and the Communist party, according to Chaplains Without Borders Founder Father James Grant. While one in 14 Chinese are reported to be Christian, many are connected with home churches which Read more
World
‘Secret deal’ between the Vatican and China ‘backfires’ on Chinese Catholics
Thursday, June 11th, 2020Pope Francis sets up new fund for workers left out of coronavirus support
Thursday, June 11th, 2020Pope Francis has set up a new fund – the “Jesus the Divine Worker Fund” – to help families and individuals in the Rome diocese who have lost their livelihood because of the economic crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic. Many here are struggling to survive, especially workers in the gig economy and the families Read more
Former deacon’s lawsuit against Texas diocese goes to state Supreme Court
Thursday, June 11th, 2020The Texas Supreme Court agreed June 5 to review an appeal by the Diocese of Lubbock over a former deacon’s defamation lawsuit against it. The suit, which lower courts said could proceed, sought more than $1 million in damages from the diocese claiming it had falsely included the former deacon in its published list last Read more
Catholic Church receives $1.3 million donation to fight poverty amid pandemic
Thursday, June 11th, 2020The Catholic Church in England and Wales has received a 1 million pound ($1.3 million) donation to fight poverty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The money was donated by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, founded by the late billionaire businessman Albert Gubay, who made a pact with God in his youth that if he became Read more
After ‘taking a knee,’ Texan bishop gets a call from pope
Monday, June 8th, 2020
The phrase ‘taking a knee’ refers to a gesture many professional athletes around the US have been making in public to protest racial injustice and police brutality. The gesture has spread. Lately, even police officers showing solidarity have knelt before those protesting the May 25 killing of George Floyd, who died after being filmed pinned Read more
Woman’s bid to be Archbishop of Lyon gaining support
Monday, June 8th, 2020
French theologian Anne Soupa’s bid to become Archbishop of Lyon is gaining support, with over 5,600 people signing a petition supporting her candidacy. The signatories include many household names in France, mostly from the so-called left. They include a mayor, a former member of the lower house of parliament, a social entrepreneur and a noted Read more
Australia’s bishops consider radical change of governance report
Monday, June 8th, 2020
Australia’s bishops and religious are considering recommendations for changing the governance of the Church. If implemented, the wide-ranging recommendations would reshape the administrative and financial control of dioceses and parishes. These controls would be reallocated between the clergy and laypeople, with an increased role for women. Last month Australia’s bishops considered the report, “The Light Read more
Lock-down leaves priests feeling non-essential, losing identity
Monday, June 8th, 2020
Priests may be feeling non-essential as quarantine restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) have distanced them from their parish communities. Many churches have had to close or limit their activity in recent months and priests are struggling to support or even engage with their community, a psychologist says. Dr. Christina Lynch Read more
Support for President Trump dips among white Catholics
Monday, June 8th, 2020
Support for President Trump among white Catholics has dropped almost by half since March, a new poll reveals. The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reported last Thursday that Trump’s support among white Catholics fell from 60 percent in March to 48 percent in April to 37 percent in May. The new poll was conducted May Read more
Safeguarding at risk due to COVID
Monday, June 8th, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the risk elements in the Church’s sexual abuse response, says Fr Hans Zollner SJ. Zollner is the leading Rome based specialist in addressing the scourge of sex abuse in Catholic institutions. With less money in circulation, he is urging civil and church societies not to blur their focus nor cut Read more