David Koch, the American billionaire and libertarian whose donations with his brother Charles helped reshape US politics, has died at the age of 79. Mr Koch had stepped down from executive vice president of Koch Industries, a conglomerate which has an annual revenue of more than $100 billion, last year. Charles Koch released a statement Read more
World
Agreement reached on permanent Holy See representative to Vietnam
Monday, August 26th, 2019A Holy See-Vietnam diplomacy working group, which met inside the Vatican this week, reached an agreement on establishing a permanent resident papal representative to the southeast Asian country. A resident papal representative is considered an intermediary step in diplomatic relations, below an apostolic nuncio. The Holy See and Vietnam have never had full diplomatic relations, Read more
Why one appeal judge thought Pell should go free
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
One of the judges who heard Cardinal George Pell’s appeal says he would have quashed the cardinal’s five convictions for child sex offences. Judge Mark Weinberg says he would have based his decision on a “significant body of cogent evidence” that cast serious doubt on the victim’s account. In his dissenting ruling, Weinberg says the Read more
Cardinal Pell’s appeal wanes
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
An ageing and dishevelled Cardinal George Pell, Wednesday, returned to his cell in solitary confinement at the Melbourne Assessment Prison. The journey follows the Court of Appeal’s split 2-1 decision handed down by Chief Justice Anne Ferguson. Both she and Justice Chris Maxwell experienced no doubt about Pell’s guilt. “The Chief Justice and Justice Maxwell Read more
New discrimination laws support religious beliefs
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
Australia’s Christian leaders hope new religious discrimination laws will ensure church-run aged care homes do not have to support people when they access euthanasia services. They also hope the new laws will protect churches’ ability to selectively hire school staff who share their religious ethos. They have been urging the government to frame religious protections Read more
You cannot be a Catholic and sit on the sidelines
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
“You cannot be a Catholic and sit on the sidelines,” Washington’s Archbishop Gregory told hundreds of young people at a Theology on Tap meetup. “To be a member of the Church means you’ve got to get in and get your hands dirty in the mix of the whole arena of faith from what we believe Read more
Magdalene Laundry survivor awarded compensation
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
An 80-year old woman who worked in a Magdalene Laundry for six years from the age of 11 has won her battle for compensation. The mother of five said her six years at the workhouse affected her “throughout her life”. Mary Cavner, who now lives in the UK, worked at the Good Shepherd’s Convent in Read more
Priest’s racist dog prevents him hiring black cleaner
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019
Legal action has been taken against a priest from Memphis, Tennessee, whose racist dog supposedly prevented him from hiring a black woman as a cleaner. Church staff for Fr Jacek Kowal reportedly told African American LaShundra Allen, “I’m sorry, we are not trying to be rude, but the dog doesn’t like black people.” Allen was Read more
Hospital boat named ‘Pope Francis’ sets sail to serve rural Amazon region
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019A hospital boat named the “Pope Francis” set sail this week in the Amazon River to bring medical care to rural populations. “Just as Jesus, who appeared walking on water, calmed the storm and strengthened the faith of the disciples, this boat will bring spiritual comfort and calm to the worries of needy men and Read more