Understanding atheism and its diversity were among the aims for a major conference on unbelief held at the Vatican this week. The two-day conference, co-hosted by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the University of Kent, began by launching the global “Understanding Unbelief” programme, presenting results from its research. The multidisciplinary research programme is led Read more
An Argentine bishop who is said to be close to Pope Francis is on trial at the Vatican. He has been accused of sexually abusing seminarians. Francis says he received the results of a preliminary investigation into Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta two weeks ago. As a result, he ordered the case be handed over for trial Read more
A professor of dogmatic theology told a recent episcopal conference to face up to the destructive link that is ‘now impossible to deny’ between ‘power, celibacy and sexual morality in the Church’. German theologian Julia Knop said a “leaden silence” descended on the assembly from the moment she began to speak. At the Plenary Assembly Read more
A voice-controlled app called Alexa has answered tens of thousands of questions about the Christian faith since it was launched last year. The Church of England says so far more than 75,000 people have engaged with its app (or skill), “Alexa Skill”. People with a smart speaker, such as an Echo, or with Alexa on Read more
Pope Francis says he is willing to personally tell President Donald Trump it is wrong to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. “I don’t know what happens when this new culture of defending territories by building walls enters. We already know one, [the one] from Berlin, that brought us a lot of headaches and Read more
Disgraced Cardinal George Pell won’t seek a reduced sentence if the Court of Appeal upholds his conviction for sexually abusing two Melbourne choirboys in the 1990s. Pell has been behind bars since February and is due to return to court next week to fight his conviction. But he won’t be adding an appeal against the Read more
The Catholic Church says it wants to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in building a “New India”. “On behalf of the Catholic Church in India, and on my own behalf, I extend my heartiest congratulations to you and to the Bharatiya Janata Party on the emphatic election victory. “The people of India have given Read more
Opposing abortion isn’t a religious issue but a human one, Pope Francis said at a Vatican-sponsored anti-abortion conference on Saturday. “Is it licit to throw away a life to resolve a problem?” he challenged conference delegates. “Is it licit to hire a hitman to resolve a problem?” Abortion can never be condoned, he said. Instead Read more
For the first time ever, women have been appointed to the secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Until now the secretariat’s all-male board has been limited to priests and a bishop. The secretariat prepares major meetings of world bishops held every few years on a different topic. Catholic women’s groups are welcoming the appointments. “It Read more
The Melbourne Archdiocese compensation plan may find itself facing increasingly large payouts to clergy abuse victims. The current plan was designed to limit financial damage to the Church by having clergy sex abuse survivors sign away their rights to sue the Church. Known as the Melbourne Response, compensation payments were initially capped at $50,000 when Read more