An Italian Jesuit says Pope Francis thinks the Church can no longer issue one general rules that apply to whole categories of people. Jesuit Fr. Antonio Spadaro who was one of the first people to interview Francis as pope in 2013, told a conference of bishops and theologians considering how to implement Amoris Laetitia that Read more
World
Liturgy crisis: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI blames “obscuring” God
Monday, October 9th, 2017Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI says “obscuring” God in the liturgy is the root cause of the current crisis in the Church. In the preface to a new Russian edition of his book “Theology of the Liturgy”, Benedict writes that a widespread misunderstanding of the liturgical reform led to people placing their “own activity and creativity Read more
Corruption in the court: Cardinal Bertone fingered
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
The latest scandal emerging from the Vatican’s Bambino de Jesu corruption trial has come from Italian contractor Gianantonio Bandera. He told the Vatican tribunal that arrangements for remodeling Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone’s Vatican apartment were made by Bertone himself. Bertone was the person who contacted his firm about the renovations, Bandera said. Both Bertone and Bandera have Read more
Dozens of Catholic institutions divest fossil fuels
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
The Global Catholic Climate Movement says fossil fuels are no longer included in 40 Catholic institutions’ financial portfolios. The institutions which have joined a global faith-based environmental movement located on five continents include the Franciscan convent in Assisi, the Belgian bishops’ conference, the Archdiocese of Cape Town, Newman University in the UK and two major Read more
Believe it or not – Santa’s grave has been found
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
Santa’s not someone (perhaps something) many of us believe in for long once we start school. There’s always someone to put you right about the magical appearance of sweet-and-toy filled socks. Yet Santa Claus was a real person who is otherwise known as St Nicholas. Revered for his gift-giving and aid to the poor, the Read more
Vatican-led child protection summit shares statistics, research and advice
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
Abuse statistics presented at this week’s Vatican-led summit on protecting children from online pornography make dismal reading. One in four children experience physical abuse. One in five girls is sexually abused before she reaches the age of 18 and one in 12 boys. One in three children are victims of emotional abuse. Despite their various Read more
Calling young people: Pope’s planning a pre-synod youth summit
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
Pope Francis is arranging a youth summit for March next year so he can hear firsthand from young people before next September’s bishops’ synod. “The Church wants to listen to the voice, the sensitivity, of faith and also the doubts and criticisms of young people,” he says. The Vatican says it is inviting young people Read more
Spiritual oasis: Las Vegas shrine first refuge
Thursday, October 5th, 2017Concertgoers caught in this week’s deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas sought refuge in a nearby Catholic shrine. The Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer can seat 2,200. It is a spiritual home away from home for Catholic tourists – and allows gambling chips to be put into the collection plate. Read more
Gandhi’s birthday interfaith celebration
Thursday, October 5th, 2017Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on 2 October found Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians marching together with lit candles through the streets of Bhopal in India. The interfaith celebration was organised by the Catholic Bhopal Archdiocese, based in the capital of Madhya Pradesh state. The march culminated in an inter-religious prayer gathering. The event marked the Read more
Australian voluntary euthanasia scheme could kill 1,000 a year by 2013
Thursday, October 5th, 2017The voluntary euthanasia scheme proposal Australia’s State of Victoria is considering could claim the lives of more than 1,000 terminally ill patients a year by 2030, a leading Catholic researcher claims. On September 21, the Victorian Government unveiled legislation for an assisted-dying scheme, with debate on the bill to begin next month and a conscience Read more