Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the archbishop emeritus of Cologne and strong defender of the Church’s doctrine and orthodoxy has died. He was 83. Meisner, and cardinals Walter Brandmüller, Carlo Caffarra and Raymond Burke are called the “dubia cardinals” because of a series of five questions (dubia) they put to Francis last September. They asked him to Read more
World
Youth Synod questionnaire’s 60,000 answers … so far
Thursday, July 6th, 2017An online questionnaire in preparation for next year’s Synod dedicated to young people has already attracted 60,000 responses from around the world. The website hosting the questionnaire has only been open for a few weeks. Read more
Abortions up to birth possible
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Hundreds of doctors and medical students in the UK have signed a letter condemning a change in the British Medical Association’s (BMAs) abortion policy. Last week two-thirds the BMA voted for the total decriminalisation of abortion. Doctors opposed to the change say the it could make way for abortions to be carried out until a Read more
Pope replaces Vatican’s doctrinal chief
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Pope Francis has replaced the conservative Cardinal Gerhard Müller as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with the Jesuit Archbishop Luis Ladaria. Ladaria, who is 73, has previously served as the office’s secretary. He is a Spanish Jesuit theologian. For the past five years Müller has been the prefect of the Read more
Charlie Gard – Vatican supports parents of terminally ill baby
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Charlie Gard is a terminally ill infant at London’s Great Ormond Street hospital. There is no known cure for his rare genetic condition, which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage. His life support system is to be turned off shortly. Charlie has been the subject of a legal battle between his parents who want Read more
All Germany’s Muslim MPs vote yes to same-sex marriage
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Germany’s “marriage for all” bill was passed last Friday with 393-226 votes and four abstentions. Surprising conscience vote results show all six Muslim MPs voted in favour of it. Chancellor Angela Merkel, known for her liberal views, voted against it. Four of the six Muslim MPs are with the Green Party, one is with the Read more
Pope’s solidarity with Venezuela’s victims
Monday, July 3rd, 2017
Pope Francis is calling for peace and prayerful solidarity with Venezuela’s anti-government protest victims. The current trouble began in March after President Nicolas Maduro dissolved the opposition-led National Assembly. This caused a constitutional crisis and subsequent political stalemate. “I promise my own prayers for this beloved nation and express my closeness to the families who Read more
Andrew Forrest gives away millions, kids glad
Monday, July 3rd, 2017Andrew Forrest recently donated $420 million of his $5.45 billion fortune to charity, the single largest donation by a living person in Australian history. His family supports his philanthropy, which will see him giving away most of his fortune. “Inheritance has never really made sense to me,” one of his children says. “You watch it Read more
Consistory unusual for four reasons
Monday, July 3rd, 2017Last week’s consistory was unusual for a number of reasons. Firstly, according to the norm set by Blessed Paul VI and confirmed by St. John Paul II, there can be only 120 cardinals with voting rights in the event of a conclave to choose the next Pope. Read more