An American bishop has directed that tabernacles that used to be in the centre of sanctuaries in churches and chapels are to be returned there. In a recent pastoral letter, Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield emphasised that devotion to the Eucharist is central to faith. Bishop Paprocki directed that “tabernacles that were formerly in the Read more
A Caribbean bishop was shocked to see a former papal nuncio under investigation for alleged child abuse walking freely around Rome. Bishop Victor Masalles, an auxiliary of the Santo Domingo archdiocese in the Dominican Republic said that he recently saw Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski “walking along the Via della Scrofa”. Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic say Read more
Religious affiliation among the United Kingdom’s military personnel is markedly higher than in wider society. According to figures released to The Telegraph under the UK’s Freedom of Information Act, almost 83 per cent of military personnel identified as Christian in 2012. This figure came from almost 180,000 members of the forces who gave data to Read more
A young Vietnamese priest has been excommunicated after accusations he taught false beliefs against the Catholic faith. Fr Peter Nguyen Van Tuong was excommunicated “latae sententiae”, the apostolic administrator of Vinh Long diocese announced. Administrator Fr Peter Duong Van Thanh accused Fr Tuong of “preaching false beliefs against the Catholic Church doctrine” and “being too Read more
Malaysia’s highest court has ruled that a Catholic newspaper may not use the word “Allah” to refer to God. The ruling upheld a lower court decision that banned The Herald from using then word, on the grounds that it would cause confusion in the community. The Herald editor Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ, explained that “Allah” Read more
Former Irish president Mary McAleese has described the Pope’s plans to canvass bishops’ opinions on family life as “completely bonkers”. She strongly questioned Pope Francis calling a synod later this year on family life. Ms McAleese said there was “just something profoundly wrong and skewed” about asking clergy for their views on this subject, when Read more
Pope Francis has told the Italian mafia that they are excommunicated and an example of the adoration of evil. It is believed to be the first time a pope has used the word excommunication in direct reference to organised crime groups. “Those who in their lives follow this path of evil, as mafiosi do, are not Read more
An organisation representing a Canadian province’s Catholic teachers is determined to take part in a same-sex pride parade despite church opposition. In March, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association voted to send a contingent of more than 100 members to the World Pride Parade. The association wants to send a message that it supports gay Read more
The Presbyterian Church in the United States has voted to allow their clergy to perform same-sex marriages in states where this is legal. The General Synod of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted 76-24 on June 19 in favour of the move. It also approved new language in its constitution, changing references to “a man and Read more
When Church teaching is rejected by large numbers of the faithful, action is called for, the International Theological Commission has written. The commission has published a document called “’Sensus Fidei’ in the life of the Church”. It has been approved by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Muller, Read more