The suicide of Mario Cal, vice-president of Milan’s San Raffaele hospital was tragic enough. But all indications are that his death will be a sign of trouble to come for the Vatican. The hospital, which has links to the Vatican, and whose founder is the priest, Don Luigi Verzè, has a shortfall of €1.5bn. Though Read more
In an editorial written by Lucetta Scaraffia in L’Osservatore Romano, the author rips into the BBC decision to change BC (Before Christ) to BCE (Before the Common Era) and AD (Anno Domini – the Year of the Lord) to CE (Common Era). She claims that non-Christians have generally expressed little concern about use of the Read more
To mark the 25th anniversary of Assisi meeting with religious leaders, called by Blessed John Paul II in 1986, Pope Benedict XVI has convoked a new gathering in the Italian town Oct. 27. Benedict and representatives of the world’s major religions will make speeches and sign a common commitment to peace when they meet in Assisi Read more
It’s been a year of resurrection for Cuba’s Roman Catholic Church. Last November, it opened a new seminary — the first since Fidel Castro’s communist revolution all but shut down the church 50 years ago. In May, Cuba’s bishops finished brokering the release of 115 political prisoners. Though education is strictly the role of the Read more
Jesus Colina, the founder and director of the news agency Zenit, has announced his resignation after a decision by the Legionaries of Christ to enhance the Legion identity of the agency. Established 14 years ago as an independent agency seeking to report on “the world seen from Rome,” Zenit has established a strong presence on the Internet, with Read more
John Wayne, for many, was a Hollywood legend who symbolized true masculinity and American values. To Fr. Matthew Muñoz, though, he was simply “granddaddy.” “When we were little we’d go to his house and we’d simply hang out with granddaddy and we’d play and we’d have fun: a very different image from what most people Read more
Of 400,000 people surveyed, 23.2% said they were not religious, according to the British Office for Statistics. This is a rise of nearly 3% since 2010. The statistics also indicated that there had been a significant decrease in the numbers of people who described themselves as Christian – with a decline from 71.3% to 68.5%. Read more
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco’s blistering critique of the Italian political class has resulted in silence from both Berlusconi and his office – both of whom are usually quick to reply to attacks. Political sources said Berlusconi was left “stunned and saddened” by a speech on Monday by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who said Italy needed to “purify the Read more
The Vatican has appealed to diocesan bishops to encourage laicised priests to play a more active role in parish life. This information is contained in a letter from Cardinal Ivan Dias, the prefect for the Evangelisation of Peoples. The letter, dated February 2 2011, was to a priest who had written to the congregation on behalf Read more
The Redemptorists of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are praying for religious freedom, peace in the country and the release of the activists and those who have been imprisoned because of the Christian faith. At8 pm yesterday evening in the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in the parish of ‘former Saigon, over Read more