Despite the conflict raging across the border in Syria, which has also raised tensions within Lebanon, excitement is building as Beirut prepares to welcome Pope Benedict in September. The Pope will visit the Lebanese capital from September 14 to 16 to set out his vision for the future of the Eastern Catholic churches of the Read more
Monsignor William Lynn “chose wrong” by obeying his bishop, said the judge who sentenced him to prison for three to six years for his handling of an abusive priest. Monsignor Lynn, the archdiocese of Philadelphia’s secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004, was found guilty of endangering a child. The charge stemmed from his handling Read more
After decades of dialogue, the Holy See has taken the unusual step of stripping the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru of the right to call itself “Pontifical” or “Catholic”. A Vatican statement said the university had amended its statutes several times since 1967 “in a way which has severely injured the interests of the Church”. Read more
Political and religious figures in Israel have reacted strongly against a member of Parliament who publicly tore up the New Testament and threw it in a rubbish bin. Michael Ben-Ari, along with the other 119 members of the Israeli Knesset, had been sent a New Testament by the Bible Society of Israel. In a covering Read more
A nun will carry the Olympic Torch today as Catholic parishes across Britain prepare for a series of Masses and other events to mark the opening of the Olympic Games in London on July 27. Sister Mary-Joy Langdon, of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, will join the Olympic Torch Relay in the Kingston to Read more
As the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the United States heads towards its annual assembly in August, its president says she is looking for a “third way” in dialogue with the Vatican. Last April the Vatican announced a major reform of the 1500-strong association, under which it will be supervised by three bishops. The Read more
Both the Society of St Pius X and the Vatican have left the door open for further dialogue after an exchange of statements in which the SSPX affirmed it recognises the authority of the Pope over the universal Church. The SSPX issued a statement drafted by 40 of its most senior members who met in Read more
The Archbishop of Dublin has told the Catholic Church in Ireland it is “too timid” in bringing the Christian message to the problems of society. In a homily in his pro-cathedral, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said the Church “should be active and present in society, drawing attention to suffering and repression of any kind and being Read more
Two Australian dioceses have jointly commissioned an independent inquiry by former Federal Court judge Antony Whitlam, QC, into the way they handled a priest who admitted abusing children. The inquiry is in response to widespread media reports about the activities of a so-called Father F — which have also prompted calls for a royal commission Read more
The Catholic Church in Czechslovakia is deciding how to divide up and manage billion-dollar compensation it is due for property confiscated by the communists in the 1940s. After more than 20 years of discussions, the country’s Chamber of Deputies has passed a bill returning the former property to 17 churches, of which the Catholic Church Read more