The first draft of Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment has been completed, but the Pope says he needs to be certain about the science used. Speaking with reporters on his plane flight back from Korea, Pope Francis was asked by a German journalist about the upcoming encyclical. The Pope replied that he had spoken Read more
Pope Francis says the international community would be justified in stopping Islamist militants in Iraq, but no single nation should decide how to do this. On his plane flying back from Korea, the Pope had an hour long conversation with journalists. Francis was asked if he approved of US strikes against ISIS insurgents who have recently Read more
The Vatican bank has written off US$20 million that was invested in an Italian television company at the behest of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Two years ago, the Vatican’s then-Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone, ordered the investment in Lux Vide SpA, for “evangelisation”. The company makes family movies, including films about popes and a series about Read more
Catholic education authorities in Sydney are encouraging students to speak out if they are unhappy with Australia’s treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. Sydney archdiocese executive director of Catholic schools Dan White said these schools have a long-standing tradition of encouraging students to engage with social justice issues. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a Read more
On arriving in Korea, Pope Francis amazed onlookers and a huge television audience by getting into an unassuming, small car. This was in nation where VIPs are rarely seen in anything other than expensive, luxury cars. After his arrival on August 14, the Pope left the airport in a compact black Kia that many South Read more
A former Catholic priest is believed to be one of those supporting singer Sir Cliff Richard as he faces an historic allegation of abusing a boy. Sir Cliff, who vehemently denies the abuse claim, is often in the company of former priest John McElynn, who is one of the supporters dubbed “Team Cliff”. The singer’s Read more
A distinguished American feminist theologian says post-Vatican II renewal has not taken place in the Church’s hierarchy. Fordham University theologian Sr Elizabeth Johnson told an assembly of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in Nashville that tension between the Vatican and women religious has historical, sociological and ecclesiastical roots. But a solution could be found, Read more
Catholics in the United States are outraged that local government officials in Oklahoma City have approved a Satanic Black Mass in a city building. The event, scheduled for September 21 in the Oklahoma City Center Music Hall, will involve the desecration of a consecrated host taken illicitly from a Catholic Church. The Black Mass will Read more
Atheist Richard Dawkins has argued that the niceness of ordinary churchgoers has helped enable religious fundamentalists to become suicide bombers. The Telegraph in the United Kingdom reported Dawkins saying moderate Christian and Muslim believers had inadvertently paved the way for extremists. Dawkins said ordinary believers do this by being “so nice” that people do not Read more
The Catholic Church in Australia has proposed a national redress scheme for survivors of child sex abuse, funded by institutions responsible for the harm. The Church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council told Australia’s Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that such a scheme should be run by the federal government. The council’s Read more