A renowned historian has asserted that the hierarchical power structures within the Catholic and Protestant churches are significant factors contributing to sexual abuse cases. In a recent article in the German website Herder Korrespondenz, Thomas Großbölting (pictured) highlights the clergy’s authority within the religious framework as facilitating the exploitation of children and young people. “It Read more
A group of Newfoundland Catholics are celebrating a hard-fought victory as the Vatican overturned the suppression of their parish. Holy Rosary Parish, in Portugal Cove-St Philips in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, was one of 18 parishes put up for sale after the archdiocese declared bankruptcy. However, the Dicastery for the Clergy has overturned the Read more
In an unprecedented move, over a dozen US Catholic bishops convened at St Louis University in January for a private meeting aimed at deepening their understanding of transgender people. The meeting sought to understand the challenges transgender people face. It included discussions with transgender individuals, their families, theologians, medical professionals and church ministry workers. The Read more
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has refused permission for the celebration of the old Latin rite of the traditional Easter Triduum in Westminster. This is the first time since the 1990s that the Easter Triduum won’t be celebrated in the Westminster Diocese. The traditional Triduum rite follows the liturgical books in use before the 1970 liturgy reform. Read more
Spanish Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo (pictured, right) has rebuked several priests for wishing Pope Francis dead. The priests – who later apologised – had prayed for Francis to die as soon as possible, during a weekly internet programme. Chaves posted a statement on the archdiocese website on Wednesday, rejecting the priests’ comments. He Read more
The private Catholic chapel where two Spanish men celebrated their civil “marriage” last weekend is subject to “canonical effects” and deconsecration, according to the Archdiocese of Madrid and a Catholic priest with jurisdiction in the area. The Holy Trinity Chapel, located on the grounds of the Finca El Campillo, a property used as a wedding Read more
Turkish drone strikes in northeastern Syria on Wednesday killed at least three members of a local Christian force and wounded others, including civilians, a Kurdish official and a Syrian opposition war monitor said. Also on Wednesday, it was reported Israeli airstrikes hit Damascus. On the same day, in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, security forces Read more
A global child rights organisation has urged the government to curb early and unintended pregnancies among teenagers in the Philippines, which has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Asia. Save the Children Philippines drew attention to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recording 3,135 cases of adolescent pregnancies among young girls aged 10-14 in Read more
A leading Nigerian priest has sounded an alarm regarding the future of the Catholic Church due to an ‘explosion’ of religious orders. “We have witnessed an explosion of new religious communities. Some with little or nothing in terms of spirituality and charism of consecrated life” Father Anthony Akinwale said. Fr Akinwale (pictured) is Professor and Read more
The 2024 State of Church Technology report offers a glimpse into the potential future of church services. The report highlights significant shifts in how congregations engage with technology. Pushpay published the report based on insights from over 2,200 church leaders. It reveals a trajectory towards a new configuration of the Church. Churches increasingly embrace technology Read more