French President Francois Hollande is travelling to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, less than a month after a Catholic priest was murdered as he said morning Mass by two men claiming allegiance to the Islamic State extremist militia. Hollande spoke with Francis on the day of the attack; his visit will be the second Read more
World
Former prostitutes get special visit from Pope Francis
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
Pope Francis, Friday, visited a special community for women freed from prostitution and violent abuse as his latest ‘Mercy Friday’ initiative during the Jubilee. On Aug. 12 he met the 20 women, all of whom have suffered severe physical violence and live under protection, who are cared for at the “Pope John XXIII Community” in Read more
Religious freedom seriously lacking for three-quarters of world
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
Religious freedom is an oxymoron for three quarters of the world, according to US ambassador David Saperstein. The U.S. State Department warned that religion-based terrorists as well as some governments across the globe are threatening the liberties of religious minorities. “One of the best ways to deny these murderers their victory is by ensuring that Read more
New euthanasia lobby group launched in Australia – Catholic church banned
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
Euthanasia supporters in Australia are working on a new assisted dying campaign in Australia. Influential Australian journalist and euthanasia supporter Andrew Denton (pictured above) has launched a new campaign for assisted dying in Australia, and called on the Catholic Church to “stay out” of the euthanasia debate. Denton, a well-known radio and television personality, delivered Read more
Martin Luther was a “teacher of the faith”
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
Martin Luther was a “teacher of the faith.” In a new report Germany’s bishops say the 500th anniversary of the Reformation must involve repentance on both sides. Germany’s Catholic bishops have praised Martin Luther as a “Gospel witness and teacher of the faith” and called for closer ties with Protestants. In a 206-page report, “The Read more
Archbishop of Canterbury takes in Syrian refugee family to encourage others
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
A Syrian refugee family is being housed in an empty property in the grounds of Lambeth Palace, the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has confirmed. Welby and the British Home Office took the initiative in an attempt to encourage members of the public, community groups, faith groups, charities and businesses to sponsor refugee families resettling in Read more
France Charges Third Man Linked to Priest Murder
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016French prosecutors filed preliminary charges of terrorism against a third man detained on suspicion of collaborating in last month’s murder of Fr Jaques Hamel, a French priest, suggesting the slaying was the work of a broader group of Islamic State followers. The 21-year-old was detained Monday in the area of Toulouse, a city 500 miles Read more
Latin Mass Society – seventh annual pilgrimage to Walsingham
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016The Latin Mass Society’s (LMS) seventh annual pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham, England will take place from August 25th-28th. A sung traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated each day, while pilgrims walk 55 miles to one of the greatest shrines in England. Participants on the walking pilgrimage will be praying for the conversion of England. Inspired Read more
Caritas Bangladesh in aid of flood victims
Tuesday, August 16th, 2016Caritas Bangladesh is launching a series of initiatives to help victims of the devastating floods in Bangladesh. The Catholic charity’s volunteers distributed 4,000 Bangladeshi taka (about 46 euros) and cleaning kit for each person, for at least 1,650 families affected by the emergency. Efforts are concentrated in two districts in the north of the country. Read more
Don’t surrender to China, Cardinal Zen tells Vatican
Friday, August 12th, 2016
Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, an Emeritus Cardinal from China, has warned the Vatican that allowing the Chinese government to appoint Catholic bishops would mean “surrender”. He, made the comment on Tuesday following an announcement by the current bishop, John Tong Hon, that the Vatican and the Chinese government are in dialogue over the appointment of bishops. Read more