Over 12,000 people, both adults and adolescents, were baptized in France on Easter, a record number in the country that experiences what many church leaders have called an accelerated “de-Christianisation.” Requests for adult baptisms have increased in France for the past ten years. In a report released just before Easter, representatives from the French bishops’ Read more
World
Catholic priest burns to death after robes catch fire during blessing of the fire ceremony
Monday, April 8th, 2024A priest has died from horrific injuries after his robe caught fire from a candle spark during an Easter vigil in the Spanish city of Zaragoza. He suffered 50 per cent burns in the freak accident over the Easter weekend and lost his battle for life after four days in intensive care. The priest, Javier Read more
Pope Francis subdues health issues – presides at Easter Mass
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024
Rallying from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems, Pope Francis led some 30,000 people in Easter celebrations on Sunday and made a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer Read more
Married priests not the solution to vocations crisis says Vatican cardinal
Monday, March 25th, 2024
A Vatican cardinal stated that advocating for married priests is not the solution to addressing declining vocations in Ireland. Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, suggested fostering a true witness to the Faith could reverse the trend. Cardinal You was visiting Knock for the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. Read more
Escalating violence in Australian schools, action urged
Monday, March 25th, 2024
A recent survey conducted by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) has revealed escalating violence levels against school principals across Australia. The escalation has prompted urgent calls for action. The study encompassing 2,300 respondents unveiled distressing statistics, with nearly half having reported experiencing or witnessing physical violence. Approximately 54% were subjected to threats. According to the Read more
Archbishop condemns terror attack in Moscow, expresses sorrow
Monday, March 25th, 2024
Archbishop Pavel Pezzi of Moscow expressed profound sorrow and solidarity following the heinous terror attack in Moscow on Friday night. The attack, which targeted the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 137 lives. “Following the brutal terrorist attack in Moscow which left many people dead and injured, I Read more
Sport and Catholic spirituality do mix, and rather well
Monday, March 25th, 2024
Two Creighton University professors have dedicated years to researching the relationship between the spiritual dimension of sport, Catholic spirituality and theology. Dr JJ Carney and Dr Max Engel’s research offers insights into the spiritual dimensions of athletic competition and how the two worlds can interconnect. Evangelisation through sport Carney and Engel teach a popular course Read more
Endless Calvary for Gaza’s Christian community
Monday, March 25th, 2024
The situation for Gaza’s Christian community is “worsening hour by hour”. It’s extremely serious says the Palestinian city’s only Catholic priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli (pictured). Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reports agree. “Our people are constantly suffering. Every time both sides talk about a truce, the intensity of military operations increases” reports an Read more
Catholic sexual ethic is ‘anachronistic’
Monday, March 25th, 2024
The Catholic Church’s sexual ethic is anachronistic, says Salesian Father Ronaldo Zacharias. Its “established, dogmatic models of the theological approach to sexuality have become anachronistic.” Zacharias made the statement when speaking at a conference in Rome on sexuality and culture at the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences. New sexual ethic Read more