Responding to widespread pressure, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a royal commission into institutional responses to sex abuse across the nation. Her decision followed new revelations about a Catholic religious order at a parliamentary inquiry in Victoria and the launching of a commission of inquiry into police handling of abuse by Catholic priests Read more
The newly appointed leader of the world’s Anglicans, Bishop Justin Welby, has acknowledged Catholic influences in his spiritual life and social thinking. Bishop Welby, a former oil executive who gave up a six-figure salary to become an Anglican priest, will succeed Archbishop Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury. During a news conference at Lambeth Palace Read more
While the Vatican computer technician involved in the Vatileaks scandal has received a two-month suspended sentence, the committee of cardinal investigating the case is reported to have recommended a papal pardon for the Pope’s personal assistant at the centre of the scandal. The technician, Claudio Sciarpelletti, was found guilty of aiding and abetting Pope Benedict Read more
The Vatican intends to launch a papal Twitter account for Pope Benedict XVI, a move officials hope will eliminate dozens of unofficial papal Twitter feeds. The recent Synod of Bishops, on the New Evangelisation, encouraged Catholics to use social networks and other new media environments. It described these as places where “consciences are often formed, Read more
The head of the Vatican’s police force has told members of Interpol that valuable artworks in Catholic churches are often poorly protected from thieves. Domenico Giani, said many of these artworks are difficult to protect because they are in isolated church buildings where no anti-theft measures are employed, or in churches that are basically abandoned Read more
As violence in Syria continues to escalate, the Vatican has called off sending a papal delegation there on a mission of peace. Instead, Pope Benedict XVI has sent Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, to neighbouring Lebanon, to meet pastors and members of the various churches present in Syria. He Read more
Congratulating the re-elected President Barack Obama, the president of the United States Catholic Bishops’ Conference has emphasised that the bishops “will continue to stand in defence of life, marriage, and our first, most cherished, liberty, religious freedom”. “The Catholic bishops of the United States offer our prayers that God will give you strength and wisdom Read more
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Protestants and Catholics to emphasise what they have in common as Germany prepares to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017. “Especially in a very secular world, we should always stress what is common in the Christian religion,” said Merkel, who is the daughter of a Read more
A European Court of Human Rights decision ordering Poland to pay compensation for not helping a girl obtain an abortion four years ago has upset many in the predominantly Catholic country. The court, which has jurisdiction over 47 European countries, said Poland had violated the European Convention on Human Rights because the girl — who Read more
Cardinal George Pell has withdrawn his support from a Catholic college at Sydney University following revelations about dangerous initiation rituals, destructive behaviour and bullying. Cardinal Pell said he no longer had confidence that the council of St John’s College could reform life at the college. He asked the five remaining priests on the council to Read more