Dream big, “live with hope and joy not bitterness and … dream with [God] of a better world,” says Pope Francis. “Please, make sure we do not pay attention to disappointed and unhappy people; let us not listen to those who cynically plead not to cultivate hope in life.” Read more
World
ISIS video targets Pope, Vatican, Italy
Monday, August 28th, 2017
A pro-Islamic State (ISIS) video has been sent to the Vatican with a warning that Pope Francis and visitors to the Vatican could be targets of an ISIS terrorist attack. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin says he has seen two videos from ISIS over the past few days. One threatens Italy with a Read more
Racism, prejudice, violence – sins of a nation
Monday, August 28th, 2017
Bishops in the US say racism, prejudice and violence are sins U.S. society and the Church itself must work at to eliminate. This month’s violent “Unite the Right” protests in Charlottesville, Virginia have resulted in the bishops making a new resolution to oppose and eliminate racism. “The times demand it; our Gospel demands it,” Bishop Read more
Russia holds the key to world peace
Monday, August 28th, 2017
Russia plays a crucial role in working for world peace, says Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Parolin, who has just returned from a four day trip to Russia, says: “I tried above all to say this, this was the message that I wanted to convey: Russia, for its geographical position, its history, its Read more
Nepal bans evangelisation, religious conversion
Monday, August 28th, 2017
Nepal will pass a bill next week criminalising religious conversions and banning ‘hurting religious sentiment’. Once it is signed, a clause in Nepal’s new constitution barring religious conversion will come into effect. Anyone convicted under the new law could face up to five years in prison for seeking to convert a person or “undermine the Read more
Imprisonment without hope is like torture says Pope
Monday, August 28th, 2017
Imprisonment without offering the prisoners hope in the future is the same as torturing them, says Pope Francis. While he agrees prisoners must pay the price for the crimes they have committed, the punishment can be effective “only when inmates are helped to look toward the future rather than only back at a past lived Read more
Vatican II liturgy reforms irreversible says Pope
Monday, August 28th, 2017
The liturgical reforms that began with pope Pius X and culminated in the Second Vatican Council are irreversible. Pope Francis made this declaration in a speech to Italy’s Centre of Liturgical Action. “We can affirm with certainty and magisterial authority that the liturgical reform is irreversible,” he said. As one commentator noted, ” It’s not every Read more
Columbus letter stolen from Vatican found in US
Monday, August 28th, 2017A letter written by Christopher Columbus and stolen from the Vatican library has been found in America. The letter was found in the collection of a man who did not know it was stolen. He has agreed to return the letter to the Vatican library. Read more
Catholic school removes alienating statues of Our Lady, Jesus
Monday, August 28th, 2017A Catholic school in California has removed statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ because they could be alienating to non-Catholic students. Removing the statues will make thew school more inclusive, the school says. Read more
Gay marriage ok with Australian Catholics
Monday, August 28th, 2017Gay marriage should be legal, say two thirds of Australian Catholics, despite church leaders demanding they vote no. Catholics were the most likely people of faith to indicate they would vote yes in the upcoming postal vote, along with non-Christian religions, a new poll found. Read more