The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarumid Martin is playing down last year’s rumours the Pope will visit Ireland in 2012. Speaking on RTE radio, Martin said that Pope Benedict is still considering an invitation to travel to Ireland, but added that the Holy Father thinks “his coming would have to fit into the overall timetable of Read more
Last week Bishops, Religious and mental health experts met at the Pontifical Gregorian University for a Vatican-backed symposium on clerical sexual abuse. Called “Toward Healing and Renewal” — the aim of the Symposium was to change the culture of how the church deals with cases of pedophile priests. At the end of the meeting a new internet-based Read more
President Obama has abandoned his stand that religious organisations must pay for birth control for workers. Seeking to end the election-year furore, particularly from the Catholic Church, Obama’s compromise meant women would still get free birth control; Obama demanding that insurance companies step in and provide the coverage. Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York initially called Read more
As the government intensifies its strikes in Homs, Syria, some priests are remaining behind. Vatican Nuncio, Archbishop Mario Zenari said in an email to CNS that the only certain thing about their safety is its uncertainty. Zenari is in almost daily contact with the priests in Homs. “The decision to remain is theirs,” Archbishop Zenari said. Read more
An English bishop suggested reorganizing the Catholic school system in his diocese to ease financial strain and address schools that may have strayed from their purpose of faithful evangelization. “Is it time for us to admit that we can no longer maintain schools that are Catholic in name only?” asked Bishop Michael G. Campbell of Read more
Visiting inmates at Rebibbia prison, one of Italy’s toughest prisons, on Monday, Pope Benedict told the inmates people are awful to him too. “People speak ferociously even against the Pope, but nonetheless we have to move on,” the pontiff said. Despite the surroundings and a hectic Christmas schedule, Pope Benedict looked to be in good Read more
Catholics are the largest single Christian group, Christianity is the largest global belief system and there is no centre for global Christianity, are three of the major findings of a Pew Research Centre study on Religion and Public Life. The study, released on Tuesday showed that unlike last century, the Christian population has moved from Europe to Read more
Egypt’s Coptic Christians are worried by increased attacks on them and their churches by muslims and the military and would rather not draw too much attention to themselves by accepting too much foreign aid. A minority group in a Muslim country, they fear a backlash and so at this time when all Egyptians are suffering Read more
Caritas Europe warns European nations’ that austerity measures threaten social services for the poor. “The governments’ focus on reductions in public expenditure on social security benefits and services, wage reductions and increases in tax will disproportionately impact upon the poorest in society,” the report found. “The austerity measures pursued by many countries will result in Read more
Rights activists have joined Catholic bishops, Christian groups, diplomats and statesmen in urging the North Korean regime to use the death of Kim Jong-il as an opportunity to reverse decades of isolation and oppression. Kim’s successor, Kim Jong-un, and his military backers have an “unprecedented opportunity” to “turn a new page on the human rights Read more