The Vatican is investigating 15 Catholic psychiatric hospitals in Belgium because of a change in their euthanasia policy. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, is personally carrying out the investigation. The investigation follows an appeal to Rome for help from Brother Rene Stockman, the superior general of the Brothers of Charity order running Read more
World
Catholic hospitals directed to euthanise mentally ill
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
A board governing several Belgian Catholic psychiatric hospitals says it will to start performing euthanasia in its institutions. But the religious brothers who operate the hospitals say the policy change is unacceptable and cannot be implemented. The Brothers of Charity, who oppose euthanasia, are responsible for 15 psychiatric hospitals. Between them they care for 5,000 Read more
Trading beauty queen glam for nun’s habit
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
A 20-year old beauty queen from Mexico has traded her crown for the habit of the the Poor Clare Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament of Cuernavaca. “I was very happy with everything I had, but it does not compare with the happiness that God now places in my heart,” she says. Esmeralda Solís Gonzáles says Read more
Inclusion needed like food and shelter
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
Solutions to poverty need to offer ways to include the marginalised, poorest members of society, says Margaret Archer. Archer is the President of the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences. She was speaking at the plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, held at the Vatican this week. The meeting focused on the theme Read more
Benedict XVI – Radical Islam and atheist secularism
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
Radical Islam and radical atheist secularism is creating a “dangerous situation” says Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. His words were read to a conference sponsored by Poland’s president last week. Those attending the conference included representatives of Poland’s government and Church. They were discussing Benedict’s paper “The Concept of the State From the Perspective of the Read more
Woman ordained in rebel Catholic ceremony
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
A woman ordained as a Catholic priest said she is the second woman in her diocese ordained by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. The ordination was carried out by Bridget Mary Meehan, who presents herself as a Catholic bishop. “It’s time for a change and we’re in the forefront, leading the charge,” Abigail Read more
Police raid underground Catholic church
Thursday, May 4th, 2017An underground Catholic church in China has been disrupted by police to prevent “illegal religious activity”. They ransacked the church and attempted to arrest the priest and the lay preacher. Read more
Pope Francis reflects on his Apostolic Voyage to Egypt
Thursday, May 4th, 2017Pope Francis reflected on last weekend’s Apostolic Voyage to Egypt during this week’s General Audience. In it he recalled the various stages of his packed schedule, which included “dialogue between Christians and Muslims”, the role of Christians in Egypt and meetings with many priests and religious. Read more .
Pokemon Go player arrested in church
Thursday, May 4th, 2017A man is facing jail for “inciting religious hatred” after making a video of himself playing Pokemon Go inside a Russian Orthodox church. The footage, which has been watched 1.7 million times on YouTube, shows the man describing Jesus as “the rarest Pokemon”. Read more
Pope says mediate, prevent US North Korea nuclear war
Monday, May 1st, 2017
Rather than North Korea and the United States (US) risking a nuclear war, Pope Francis suggests a third party could help them find a way to cool off before a good part of humanity is destroyed. During an in-flight press conference following his visit to Egypt, Francis suggested Norway as a possible mediator. “It (Norway) Read more