Alarm over displacement in Papua New Guinea caused by climate change was expressed last week during a meeting at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Port Moresby. The gathering focused particularly on climate change and specifically on the issue of the Cartaret islands in the autonomous region of Bougainville and the Manam islands in Madang province. Read more
World
Papal blessings can be requested online
Thursday, April 4th, 2019Papal blessings may be requested for various occasions, such as the reception of the sacraments, including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, or Ordination to the priesthood or permanent diaconate. They can also be granted for other religious events, including the profession of religious vows or secular consecration. Papal blessings are also popularly requested for major Read more
Pope signs child sex abuse law for Vatican and its embassies
Monday, April 1st, 2019
Pope Francis has made it compulsory in law within the Vatican and in Vatican diplomatic missions worldwide to report child sex abuse. Francis, who is both the Vatican head of state and the head of the Church new law, wants the new law to be a model for the church globally. The legal changes reflect Read more
Secularism bill aims to ban all religious symbols
Monday, April 1st, 2019
A secularism bill currently before the Quebec government aims to ensure the religious neutrality of the state. The preamble to Bill 21, entitled “An Act respecting the laicity of the State,” explains the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s motivation. It says the Quebec nation “has its own characteristics, one of which is its civil law Read more
New Brunei law will see gays stoned, thieves’ hands amputated
Monday, April 1st, 2019
Brunei plans to implement Islamic criminal laws such as stoning to death for LGBTQ sex, and amputation for theft. Brunei, which is a tiny nation on the island of Borneo, has adopted a more conservative form of Islam in recent years. In 2013 it announced its intention to introduce sharia law, the Islamic legal system Read more
Conversion not your mission Pope tells Morocco Catholics
Monday, April 1st, 2019
Pope Francis’s meetings in Morocco have underlined the importance of religious liberty and its connection to the dignity and rights owed to every person, regardless of their religion. On Saturday, the first day of a two-day trip, he told Morocco’s Catholic community they should avoid attempting to convert Muslims. Instead, he suggested they should seek Read more
Radical overhaul may see reduction in dioceses
Monday, April 1st, 2019
A radical overhaul of the Catholic church in Ireland may see a reduction in the number of dioceses in the Irish Church, says Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. Martin has also called for a radical overhaul in the training of priests. Outlining his vision for renewal which would include a “reduction and rationalisation of dioceses” Read more
Prominent actors threaten boycott over fetal heartbeat bill
Monday, April 1st, 2019A group of prominent actors are threatening to boycott the state of Georgia should its governor sign a bill banning abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. Led by actress Alyssa Milano, a group of about 50 celebrities signed an open letter Thursday addressed to Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and Hon. David Ralston (R), Read more
Bible violent: Iranian Christian’s asylum claim blocked
Monday, April 1st, 2019An Iranian Christian was denied asylum in Great Britain after a government official in the Home Office used the Bible to argue that Christianity was violent. The man wrote in his request he had converted to Christianity because it is a peaceful faith. However, the Independent reports Britain’s Home Office’s refusal letter cited several biblical Read more
Cash for information in China’s religion crackdown
Monday, April 1st, 2019A southern Chinese city is offering cash rewards for information about “illegal religious groups” as the ruling Communist Party continues to tighten its grip over faith communities. A notice posted on the official website of the Guangzhou Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs said up to 10,000 yuan ($15,000) would be paid for verified information Read more