Two vases, estimated to be worth about $120,000, were returned to the family of Harry Fuld 80 years after they were stolen from his widow by the Nazi regime, in a ceremony made possible by the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Art Crime Team and the American Embassy of Germany, according to Read more
World
The Vatican Gardens are going “green”
Monday, August 5th, 2019Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to protect the environment, the Vatican will eliminate all chemical pesticides and fertilizers. The head of the Vatican’s extensive gardens has announced an initiative, already underway, to totally eliminate the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Rafael Tornini, head of the Garden and Environment Service of the Vatican, told L’Osservatore Read more
Father, brother, friend, voice of the poor: Cardinal Ortega, RIP
Thursday, August 1st, 2019
Many adjectives describe Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who died last week: father, brother, cardinal of Cuban youth, voice of Cuba’s poor, Cuban bridge to the US, accomplished pianist. He “was an important, and at the same time, controversial man of the church, who played a critical role in gaining ‘more spaces’ so that the Catholic Church Read more
Melbourne Archdiocese debt and deficits force redundancies
Thursday, August 1st, 2019
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne will be laying off numerous staff to tackle a budget deficit and rising debt. Although the current financial situation is not believed to relate directly to the financial compensation payouts as a result of clergy abuse, it feeds into the way the church does its business. The issue has provoked Read more
Israel Folau’s cousin let go by St Gregory’s College
Thursday, August 1st, 2019
The religious beliefs of Josiah Folau, Israel Folau’s cousin, means he is no longer employed by Sydney’s St Gregory’s College. Josiah Folau left his employment at the Catholic college following a conversation with a person who attended a service at Pastor Eni Folau’s family house and writing a letter to a parent. In the course Read more
Brutality behind the choir school’s fame
Thursday, August 1st, 2019
Brutal clerical abuse at Germany’s prestigious Regensburger Domspatzen choir school was not a consequence of the pedagogy practised since the Church’s 1968 reform movement – despite emeritus Pope Benedict’s view to the contrary. Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg has vowed to intensify “preventive measures” after two research reports found “extensive, violent” abuse at the choir Read more
Vatican bones not those of missing girl
Thursday, August 1st, 2019
An analysis of an enormous number of bones discovered in a Vatican cemetery during a search for the remains of missing girl Emanuela Orlandi reveal they cannot be hers. Hundreds of partially intact bones and thousands of bone fragments were studied by a forensic anthropologist and found to date from before the end of the Read more
The St. Louis Jesuits to play one more time
Thursday, August 1st, 2019The St. Louis Jesuits — the fathers of contemporary liturgical music — to play one more time aT A CONCERT. The concert in St. Louis on 29 September will mark the last time liturgical composer-performers Dan Schutte, Tim Manion and Jesuit Fathers Bob Dufford, John Foley and Roc O’Connor take the stage together as the Read more
British PM aims to restore Protestant-Catholic power-sharing
Thursday, August 1st, 2019New British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday finished his rocky debut tour of the UK in Northern Ireland, where he faces a doubly difficult challenge: Restoring the collapsed Belfast government and finding a solution for the Irish border after Brexit. Since he took office a week ago, Johnson has been touring England, Scotland, Wales Read more
Poland’s bishops warn of mounting attacks
Thursday, August 1st, 2019Poland’s Bishops Conference has warned of an “intolerable upsurge” in acts of profanation against Catholic sites around the country, while seeking to counter media claims the Church has incited violence against LGBT activists campaigning for greater rights. “In line with its Gospel summons, the Catholic Church respects the dignity of every person without exception – Read more