Canon lawyer Professor Thomas Schüller of Münster University, one of Germany’s best-known canon law experts, has sharply criticised the acquittal of Vatican official Fr Hermann Geissler (FSO), an Austrian priest and a former section head at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He called the acquittal a “scandalous verdict” as it had been Read more
World
Archbishop of Canterbury interviews Pope Francis
Thursday, May 23rd, 2019Justin Welby has become the first Archbishop of Canterbury to interview a pope in a symbol of the warm relationship shared by the two Church leaders. In a significant moment for relations between the Anglican and Catholic Church, the interview was recorded on the Archbishop’s mobile phone during a recent meeting in Rome. The recording Read more
GP’s racism charge – for asking Muslim woman to remove face veil
Thursday, May 23rd, 2019A GP forced out of work for asking a woman to remove her face veil (niqab) has attracted more than 20,000 signatures on a petition demanding his reinstatement. Dr Keith Wolverson could be struck off after “politely” asking a Muslim mother to remove the face veil so he could hear her properly as she described Read more
Poland doubles jail time for paedophiles after clergy abuse doco goes viral
Monday, May 20th, 2019
Poland is planning to double jail terms for convicted paedophiles after a documentary on priest sex abuse sparked outrage in the country. The documentary includes harrowing testimonies from victims and has been viewed more than 18 million times. Convicted paedophiles could now face up to 30 years or even life in prison. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Read more
Police file complaint against Amazon for hurting religious sentiments
Monday, May 20th, 2019
Police in India have lodged a complaint against American company Amazon claiming the e-commerce giant has allegedly hurt “Hindu sentiments”. The complaint was made after rugs and toilet seat covers with pictures of Hindu gods were advertised for sale on Amazon’s US website. The complainant, Vikas Mishra, says Amazon regularly puts up products on their Read more
Vatican court acquits priest of soliciting in confessional
Monday, May 20th, 2019
The Vatican Supreme Court has acquitted an Austrian priest accused of making sexual advances during confession. Father Hermann Geissler who formerly worked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith resigned from his post in January after allegations against him went public. He has always maintained his innocence. The day he resigned, the congregation Read more
Religious freedom influences Aussie election result
Monday, May 20th, 2019
Australia’s Christian leaders say they think religious freedom was among “sleeper” issues that influenced voters to re-elect Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s conservative coalition. Mark Spencer, the national executive officer of Christian Schools Australia, says parents in marginal seats told his organisation they were concerned about the protection of religious freedom. These people want to choose Read more
YouTube has deleted under one percent of flagged hate videos
Monday, May 20th, 2019
YouTube has removed less than one percent of the 15 million hate videos flagged to it, figures given to MPs have revealed. Statistics provided to the UK Home Affairs Select Committee show that only 25,000 of nearly 15 million videos that were flagged as hateful or abusive between July and December last year have been Read more
Alabama governor invokes God in banning nearly all abortions
Monday, May 20th, 2019Alabama’s Republican governor has signed the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation, making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. “To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God,” Read more
Fake priest scams dozens of Catholics
Monday, May 20th, 2019A man who falsely claimed to be a Catholic priest is facing justice in Peru for allegedly scamming over two dozen people. The church says it has never heard of the man who stole thousands of dollars and administered sacraments. The man says he worked in a priest in a church where he wasn’t known. Read more