The Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has called for an “independent and impartial” investigation into the bombings of three churches and three hotels on Easter Sunday. The leaders claim that this investigation must bring about justice for the victims by holding those responsible before the law. On April 21, Easter Sunday, suicide bombers reportedly supported Read more
World
Church Leaders in Sri Lanka Call for Independent Investigation into Easter Bombings
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019Pope expected to make Thailand visit in November
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019Pope Francis is expected to make an official trip to Thailand in November ahead of an already announced visit to Japan, becoming the first pontiff in nearly four decades to go to either country, Vatican sources say. The three sources said the trip would be announced soon. The late Pope John Paul visited Japan in Read more
Health Care funds disabled dad’s assisted suicide
Monday, August 19th, 2019
A Canadian father who could not received ongoing financial support for his costly healthcare has died following a medically assisted suicide. Sean Tagert, 41, who suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) agreed to having his life ended after years of struggle to find adequate care. His illness robbed him of the ability to move his Read more
Victoria Premier lashes Archbishop over Catholic confession claims
Monday, August 19th, 2019
Australian state premier Daniel Andrews, is lashing out at the Catholic Church over claims it was not consulted about proposed laws forcing priests to report child abuse disclosed in confessionals. The Victorian Premier, a practicing Catholic, says Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli is wrong to compare priests refusing to disclose allegations heard during confession to confidentiality Read more
The Pell appeal: What to expect
Monday, August 19th, 2019
The Victorian Court of Appeal will announce it’s decision on Wednesday morning on whether it will overturn Cardinal George Pell’s convictions for sexually abusing two choirboys. Three judges are examining Pell’s appeal. The appeal proceedings will be live streamed on the Supreme Court of Victoria’s website. If the court finds the jury got it wrong, Read more
Bibles not rosaries spared from Trump’s China tariff
Monday, August 19th, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump’s Trade Representative’s office has permanently spared Bibles printed in China from his tariff plans. Bibles are among about 25 product categories removed from 10 percent tariffs due to take effect next month and in December. Other products have removed from the tariff plans because they are considered important. They include child Read more
Nun who protested rape-accused bishop expelled
Monday, August 19th, 2019
A nun who was expelled from her Kerala congregation says she is being targeted for protesting and speaking to media about Church leaders’ neglect of a nun who was repeatedly raped by a bishop. Franciscan Clarist nun, Lucy Kalappura (54), says she joined a group of Missionaries of Jesus last September to protest Bishop Franco Read more
Catholic nun held at gunpoint during DC home invasion: ‘Do you want to die?’
Monday, August 19th, 2019Washington DC police are on the hunt for a robber who recently broke into a Columbia Heights home and held a Catholic nun at gunpoint. “She still has the bruises on her arm where this man manhandled her on Tuesday afternoon. It was about twenty to four in the afternoon,” Paul Wagner of Fox 5 Read more
Churches are arming and training congregants in the wake of mass shootings
Monday, August 19th, 2019Acrid gun smoke clouded the sunny entrance of a Texas church on a recent Sunday. Seven men wearing heavy vests and carrying pistols loaded with blanks ran toward the sound of the shots, stopping at the end of a long hallway. As one peeked into the foyer, the “bad guy” raised the muzzle of an Read more
Woman sues archdiocese after ‘lay exorcism’ leaves her emotionally damaged
Monday, August 19th, 2019A woman in Texas is suing the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and her parish claiming she suffered psychological and emotional abuse through a lay-led exorcism during a retreat. Beth Ann Andrews filed her lawsuit on July 25 after attending a “Faith in the Fire” event, which is associated with the Catholic Charismatic movement. According to its Read more