Bloodstains on the Shroud of Turin are fake, according to a paper published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. Many people believe the stains present Jesus’s image on the shroud – the cloth Jesus was supposedly wrapped in after his crucifixion. The paper says patterns on the shroud are consistent with multiple poses and were Read more
World
Jesuit launches “cutting edge” catechetical website
Thursday, July 19th, 2018A Jesuit has launched a “cutting edge” catechetical website to confront increasing unbelief spurred by our skeptical, science-saturated society. Credible Catholic offers 20 downloadable “modules” that equip learners with evidence-based arguments for core Christian beliefs. Read more
School funding concerns see archbishops meet with prime minister
Thursday, July 19th, 2018School funding concerns in Australia were the subject of a discussion between three Catholic archbishops and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday. The archbishops say Catholic educators are concerned non-government schools are starting term three with no idea about how much funding they would receive from the Turnbull government in 2019. Read more
Society of St Pius X new leader elected
Monday, July 16th, 2018
The Society of St Pius X (SSPX) has elected Italian priest Fr Davide Pagliarani as its new leader for the next 12 years. Pagliarani succeeds Bishop Bernard Fellay. Jean-Marie Guénois, religion correspondent at French newspaper Le Figaro, said Bishop Fellay had been “ousted” in favour of a candidate who opposes further rapprochement with the Vatican. Read more
More thought needed before law change about confession
Monday, July 16th, 2018
More thought is needed before passing a law requiring priests in Australia to break the confessional seal to report cases of child sex abuse, says Victoria’s attorney general Martin Pakula. In his view the government needs to further consider 24 of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Read more
Restrictions on same-sex marriage removed – Episcopal church
Monday, July 16th, 2018
Restrictions on same-sex marriage have been removed and couples can marry in their home churches, United States Episcopal church bishops have decided. Until Friday’s decision, 93 US dioceses allowed gay and lesbian couples to marry in the church. Eight did not. The decision by the Episcopal church’s governing body overrides those local decisions. Same-sex couples Read more
Venezuela’s bishops warn of nation’s suicide path
Monday, July 16th, 2018
Venezuela’s bishops have warned the country’s leaders it will be suicidal to continue leading Venezuela as they are at present. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called upon opposition leaders to offer Venezuelans “an alternative of change.” This will involve them working for Venezuela’s wellbeing and having greater respect for basic needs and rights. “Attitudes of Read more
Vatican not rushing to act against nun-rape accused bishop
Monday, July 16th, 2018
The Vatican is not rushing to act against an Indian bishop whom a nun has accused of rape. The unidentified nun, who is a member of the Missionaries of Jesus, laid a complaint with the police at the end of June of being raped in May 2014. She says Bishop Franco Mulakkal also sexually abused Read more
Church reluctant to condemn ‘gay conversion therapy’
Monday, July 16th, 2018Condemning ‘gay conversion therapy’ is not something the Catholic Church in the UK is about to do. It has been challenged to condemn the therapy since the Prime Minister, Theresa May, announced that her Government was banning the practice. Read more
Consecrated Virgins shocked: Vatican rules suggest they needn’t be virgins.
Monday, July 16th, 2018The US Association of Consecrated Virgins has said it is “deeply disappointed” at new Vatican rules. These rules appear to say consecrated virgins need not be virgins. Section 88 states: “Thus to have kept her body in perfect continence or to have practiced the virtue of chastity in an exemplary way, while of great importance Read more