At a brief appearance before journalists in Rome on Thursday Cardinal George Pell said he will return to Australia as soon as possible to clear his name. Pell is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a filing hearing of the charges of historic sex offences that have been laid against Read more
German head of state President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken out about the way social media is being used to promote anti-Semitism through “hate tirades” in Germany and across Europe. Speaking after a ceremony celebrating the centenary of a synagogue in the southern German town of Augsburg that survived the Nazi regime, Steinmeier said: “The social Read more
The new Swedish cardinal, Anders Arborelius, has suggested Pope Francis consider creating a special advisory body of women. Their role would be similar to that of the College of Cardinals and would offer more opportunity for women’s leadership in the church. Francis made Arborelius Sweden’s first cardinal in a consistory on Wednesday. He said he Read more
The Chinese government has ignored “grave concern” over the abduction of Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou. In response to the Vatican’s concerns for the bishop, Lu Kang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said: “China opposes any country interfering in China’s internal affairs.” Shao Zhumin was forced from his diocese on 18 May Read more
Pope Francis rejects the idea that the church is a “gerontocracy” ruled by old men. While it’s true many may need help to get up and down the small steps to the altar for Communion, Francis says it doesn’t automatically make them old. In fact, he has a surprising sounding description for them: “We aren’t Read more
Mark Zuckerberg says he wants Facebook users to start playing a similar role to pastors in churches; bringing communities together. “People who go to church are more likely to volunteer and give to charity — not just because they’re religious, but because they’re part of a community,” he said. “A church doesn’t just come together. It Read more
The baptism barrier will be removed from the admission criteria to Irish Catholic schools according to plans announced by Ireland’s Minister for Education. Minority faiths like the Church of Ireland will be able to continue to select students on the basis of religion, however. Read more
The Vatican Museum has released a documentary about Pope Francis’s idea of art. The documentary “My idea of art” explores the Pope’s concept of art through 11 celebrated works. Read more
ISIS militants desecrated another Catholic church last week in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao. The church is in the village of Malagakit. The crucifix and images of Our Lady and Christ were destroyed while consecrated hosts were thrown on the floor. Read more
Pope Francis has named the new President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. He is Professor Joachim von Braun. Von Braun is the Ordinary Professor of Economics and Technological Change, as well as the Director of the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn in Germany. He was formerly the director general of Read more