Encouraging Catholic minorities during his apostolic visit to small Catholic communities in Bulgaria and North Macedonia earlier this week, Pope Francis urged them never to doubt the importance of their gifts in the face of the big problems in the church and the world. He compared their gifts to the tiny bit of yeast that Read more
Pope Francis phoned Jean Vanier a week before his death. He told reporters he wanted to express his gratitude for his witness. “Simply put, I want to thank him and thank God for having given us this man with such a great witness,” the pope said. Jean Vanier, whose charity work helped improve conditions for Read more
George Clooney and Elton John are among a number of celebrities who convinced the Sultan of Brunei to drop the death penalty provisions in incoming legislation prohibiting gay sex. Brunei was widely criticised after it announced its interpretation of Islamic laws, or sharia, early last month, which involve punishing sodomy, adultery and rape with death, Read more
A pro-life event showing a live 4D-ultrasound of a 36-week gestation baby was broadcast in Times Square on Saturday, as part of Focus on the Family’s “Alive in New York” celebration. “Alive in New York” was organized by Focus on the Family and drew a crowd estimated in the thousands, and it is believed to Read more
Grand plans for the reconstruction of the Notre Dame’s roof reveal a glorious garden that will produce 21 tonnes of fruits and vegetables. An innovative design to rebuild the historic 12th century cathedral could see modern and eco-friendly features replace the original roof that was destroyed in the devastating fire in April. The possible transformation Read more
Calling it “an ambitious target,” an English bishop has welcomed a UK panel’s call to phase out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Committee on Climate Change (the CCC) was established as an independent body to advise the British government – as well as the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – by Read more
Over the past six years, the profile of women at Vatican events, especially women religious, has risen sharply. Since Pope Francis’s election, more women have been taking centre stage with the “parrhesia” or boldness he encourages. Today Members of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) – who lead about 450,000 women religious around the Read more
Hymns are no longer in the top ten musical choices on funeral song sheets. Old favourites like The Lord’s My Shepherd and Abide With Me are being relegated as mourners choose Ed Sheeran’s Supermarket Flowers or Frank Sinatra’s My Way. At least that’s the case according to the UK’s biggest chain of funeral directors. They Read more
The persecution of Christians is at near genocide levels in some parts of the world, says an interim report ordered by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The review estimates that one in three people suffer from religious persecution. Of these, Christians are the most persecuted. Hunt says he thinks “political correctness” has played a part Read more
The re-emergence of nationalism that manifests in aggressive feelings against foreigners, especially immigrants, is of serious concern says Pope Francis. Nationalism that compromises international cooperation, mutual respect and the sustainable development goals of the United Nations is part of the growing problem. In addition, nationalism that neglects the common good and the growing threat of Read more