The Vatican has begun a massive restoration project on St Peter’s Square that will take it back in time to the 1600’s. The project will encompass all of the square’s 376 columns and pillars, 140 statues and 1,200 metres in terraces and cornices, as well as the Clementina and Gregoriana fountains and the Egyptian obelisk Read more
Restrictions on religion are on the rise according to the new Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life study. Increased restraints on religious activity were now more noticeable in 23 countries, however restrictions were released in another 12 countries, the study showed. The study also shows intolerant countries growing more hostile to religious freedom, and Read more
Pope Benedict is said to be planning some dramatic, even radical changes for the Irish Catholic Church according to an Irish Catholic newspaper columnist, David Quinn, and leading Irish theologian Fr Vincent Twomey. According to Quinn rumours are circulating around the Vatican that in light of the sex-abuse scandal, Pope Benedict is planning a “radical Read more
The digital revolution means an event that may occur three or four times in a lifetime, now happens every Wednesday, on Facebook. Once a week, in a game called “Vatican Wars”, an impassioned struggle occurs on Facebook whereby a new pope is selected who can change or reaffirm the Church’s long established teaching. Papal electors Read more
Police, security guards, an alcohol ban and a morning game of rugby were all used to prevent two Catholic secondary schools from engaging in another brawl at their annual fixture in Sydney on Saturday. The match was between Marist Brothers, St Joseph’s College in Hunter’s Hill (Joeys) and the Jesuit St Ignatius’ college (Riverview). The measures Read more
Seoul and Beijing have launched investigations into hospitals in China’s Jiln province, after reports in South Korea media have alleged capsules containing human remains are for sale in South Korea. The capsules are reportedly being sold for therapeutic purposes such as boosting stamina. According to South Korean broadcaster SBS, some hospitals in China apparently sold aborted foetuses Read more
Strikes across Spain coinciding with the Pope’s visit to World Youth Day have been averted after a baggage handling company agreed to reinstate four workers who had been made redundant. It was reported yesterday that unions representing Spanish airport ground crew had called strikes to coincide with Pope Benedict XVI’s four-day visit to the Spanish Read more
The Vatican Insider reports that tired and weary Pope Paul VI gave serious thoughts to stepping down when he turned 80. Paul VI had gone as far as working out how the retirement would happen, sharing the process with his most trusted aide, Archbishop Giovanni Benelli, whom he was about to appoint as archbishop of Read more
Priests from Madrid’s poorest parishes are criticising the cost of Pope Benedict’s visit to Madrid for World Youth Day, (WYD2011.) “The Priests’ Forum” estimates the cost of the visit, not counting security, to be around NZ$105 million, and says the visit cannot be justified at a time of massive public cuts and 20% unemployment in Spain. Read more
Justin Bieber may have girls in a wailing frenzy, but his first love is God and his family, and according to MTV UK, Pattie Mallette, his mother, claims her son will ‘stay pure’ until he meets the right girl. “He’s expressed his desire to stay pure, and honour women, and treat women with respect. So Read more