More than 100,000 people came to St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on October 13 to see Pope Francis consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The original statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which had been brought to the square the evening before, took centre stage as the Holy Father made an Read more
A Catholic doctor in Australia could face suspension for refusing an abortion referral for a couple who wanted to avoid having a girl. Dr Mark Hobart, 55, was asked by an Indian married couple to refer them to an abortion clinic after discovering at 19 weeks they were having a girl when they wanted a Read more
An English Catholic archbishop believes the Vatican may be willing to relax the circumstances for sharing Eucharist with members of other Christian denominations. Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham said that the 1993 Ecumenism Directory made certain relaxations in the rules for the sharing of Eucharist. “Given that that represents a change, and a very significant Read more
More than 6000 papal medals minted to commemorate the papacy of Pope Francis have had to be withdrawn because the name Jesus was misspelt Lesus. The gold, silver and bronze medallions marking the Pope’s first year in office had been specially made by the Italian State Mint. They went on sale on October 8 and Read more
The situation of remarried divorcees will be a major topic of discussion when Catholic bishops meet in October 2014 for an extraordinary Synod of Bishops called by Pope Francis on the pastoral needs of families. The Code of Canon Law says such a synod is held to “deal with matters which require a speedy solution”. Read more
As Jesuit provincial in Argentina, Pope Francis showed the abilities, prudence and shrewdness of a secret agent to save the lives of more than 100 people during the nation’s Dirty War in the 1970s. This is the assessment of Italian journalist Nello Scavo, who has just released a book recounting Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s efforts Read more
The German archdiocese of Freiburg has indicated its willingness to allow some remarried divorcees to receive Communion — but the Vatican has signalled the move should be halted until next year’s Synod on the Family is held. Freiburg’s pastoral care office has published a 14-page guidebook for priests and deacons in the archdiocese with detailed Read more
Christians in Jerusalem have staged an impromptu demonstration to protest against the desecration of churches in Israel by groups of extremist Jewish settlers. “It was a spontaneous demonstration to denounce the repeated attacks against holy places carried out by an irresponsible minority, that threatens the peaceful coexistence among peoples,” said Bishop William Shomali, vicar of Read more
The Vatican City State has adopted a new law cracking down on financial transactions that could enable money-laundering and imposing a new level of transparency and supervision. The Holy See Press Office said the new norm, Law XVIII, “strengthens the current internal system for the prevention and countering of money laundering and the financing of Read more
Confirmation that Pope Francis intends a complete overhaul of the Roman Curia has been made official following the first meeting of the Council of Cardinals appointed to help the Pope govern the Church. The aim is to emphasise the Curia’s role of service to the universal Church and the local churches “in terms of subsidiarity, Read more