The UK Government is “abandoning its statutory and moral duty to take effective action for the protection of vulnerable, unaccompanied child refugees,” said Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster Nichols, who is the president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has asked the British government to review its decision to limit the number of Read more
World
Clerical abuse is “an absolute monstrosity” says Pope
Thursday, February 16th, 2017Clerical abuse is “an absolute monstrosity” says Pope Francis. His words have been published as a preface to a new book by Daniel Pittet, a Swiss victim who was sexually abused for four years by a priest when he was a child. In the preface, Francis also asks for forgiveness on behalf of the Catholic Read more
Vatican’s updated charter for healthcare workers published
Thursday, February 16th, 2017The Vatican’s updated charter for healthcare workers has been published. It provides a clear set of guidelines to modern ethical concerns such as euthanasia and the creation of human-animal chimeras. Read more
Vatican ruling bans abusive leader
Monday, February 13th, 2017
A Vatican ruling has banned the leader of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae from having any contact with members of the order. An investigation into allegations of sexual and psychological abuse committed by Luis Fernando Figari,who also founded the order, found him unsuitable to run the order. Accusations against Figari were first lodged in 2011. The investigation Read more
Catholic and Russian Orthodox relations – the Pope and the Patriarch
Monday, February 13th, 2017
Catholic and Russian Orthodox relations will take a further step forward this week. Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill are meeting in Switzerland to resume discussions they began last year in Havana. At last year’s meeting, the Catholic and Orthodox leaders discussed Christian brotherhood and unity. This year they will talk about progress and Read more
Priests’ training dangerous and distorted
Monday, February 13th, 2017
The Australian child sex abuse Royal Commission has heard seminary life and training of Catholic priests in the past was “dangerous and distorted”. It also heard the priests should have had ongoing formation and supervision. Diocese of Broken Bay vicar general Dr David Ranson also told the Royal Commission the changes in priestly formation over Read more
Hopeful signs suggest Vatican and Beijing may meet half-way
Monday, February 13th, 2017
Hopeful signs suggest the Vatican and Beijing may meet half-way on who has the right to select and appoint mainland China’s bishops. Just who should be entitled to choose bishops has been a stumbling block between the Vatican and mainland China since 1951. Cardinal John Tong, who is the head of the Catholic church in Read more
Fake front-page on Vatican newspaper rubbishes Pope
Monday, February 13th, 2017
Fake front-page newspaper reports and a rash of posters attacking Pope Francis have been appearing in Rome over the past week. A group of conservative Catholics who do not like Francis’s liberal views are said to be behind the smear campaign. The latest attack involved a fake front page being added to the official Vatican Read more
Healthcare is not a business as lives are at stake says Pope
Monday, February 13th, 2017Healthcare is not a business as lives are at stake, Pope Francis says. He said in his view any public policy or private initiative regarding health care that does not make the dignity of the human person its central concern “engenders attitudes that can even lead to exploitation of the misfortune of others. And this Read more
Pope Francis and President Trump could meet in late May
Monday, February 13th, 2017Pope Francis and President Trump could meet in late May when Trump is in Italy for the G7 Summit. The British newspaper The Tablet, citing diplomatic sources, said the two will meet during President Trump’s visit to Italy. Trump will go to the G7 summit of world leaders meeting May 26-27 in Taorima, Sicily. Read Read more