Last Saturday’s meeting between Pope Francis and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Latter Day Saints) president Russell M. Nelson was the the first such meeting between leaders of the two churches. The historic meeting was held the evening before the Latter Day Saints dedicated a new temple in Rome. Although the Vatican Read more
Female leaders from the secular world and some of the highest-ranking women in the Vatican spoke positively of the pope and the church at International Women’s Day events in Rome last week. One of those women, Australian journalist Geraldine Doogue, lent her support to major institutions including the Catholic Church. Speaking at an event organised Read more
An Irish Loreto sister is one of this year’s International Women of Courage awards’ recipients. In announcing the awards last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sr Orla Treacy’s work “has become a beacon of hope for girls who might otherwise be denied education and forced to enter early marriages”. Treacy received the Read more
Cardinal Gerhard Müller says critics of his Manifesto of Faith – especially those who describe him as an anti-pope – are “political strategists and theological ignoramuses”. He says those critics have not read his previous work on papal supremacy. “The same people who were critical, even hostile, towards Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Read more
A French cardinal was convicted last week of not reporting clerical sex abuse. He says he will be offering Pope Francis his resignation. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, who was convicted by the Lyon Correction Court, received a suspended sentence of six months for not denouncing the sexually abusive acts of Father Bernard Preynat when Read more
On a visit to tornado-torn Alabama, United States President Donald Trump autographed several church-goers’ bibles at a Baptist church. One church volunteer, said Trump’s visit was a blessing and a godsend. Read more
For the first time in centuries, scientists have exposed the original surface of what is traditionally considered Christ’s tomb. Located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, the tomb has been covered by marble cladding since at least 1555 A.D., and most likely centuries earlier.Read more
Pope Francis says the Vatican archives on Holocaust-era Pope Pius XII will be opened next year. Pius’s role – helping or ignoring the plight of Jews during the holocaust – has been much debated. On the one hand, he has often been criticised by Jews for his apparent silence during the holocaust. On the other, Read more
A women’s group aimed at promoting equal rights within the Church and more leadership roles for female Catholics has launched a new campaign. The Overcoming the Silence campaign encourages women to be more assertive in making their voices heard. The Church must elevate women to leadership positions if it is to restore trust following sexual Read more