Visitors outside the gate at Buckingham Palace were asked to support the call to give “disgracefully low-paid” royal cleaners a living wage. Amidst high security for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Public and Commercial and Services union was outside the gates of Buckingham Palace from 12 noon to 2pm on 28 April Read more
The Vatican said the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, a man who sowed division and hatred and who caused “innumerable” deaths, should prompt serious reflection about one’s responsibility before God, not rejoicing. The Vatican statement May 2 came the day after President Barack Obama announced that U.S. forces had killed bin Laden in Read more
GodTube, the video-sharing website, is planning to bounce back with new features and and a clear direction. The popular service launched in 2007 however soon changed its name and purpose. Renamed “tangle.com”, in 2009, the site’s aim changed focus mixing both faith and secular interests. The change didn’t work out. “That did not do go Read more
Bishop of Toowoomba, William Morris announced his early retirement over the weekend, citing pressure from a disaffected group and a decision by Pope Benedict that he should be replaced. In making the announcement, Morris says he has been targeted over comments he made five years ago, comments that have been deliberately misrepresented. In a 2006 Read more
“Would you like spiritual guidance with that?” The frequent value-add phrase from fast food outlets has been given a twist by Austrian deacon Willi Holzhammer who is making a special offer at his local supermarkets — free spiritual guidance and counselling when you pick up your groceries. Holzhammer is touring the Alpine province of Tyrol each Saturday Read more
The Christian Brothers in North America have filed for bankruptcy amid mounting claims of sexual abuse against its US and Canadian members. The bulk of the claims comes from the Seattle area, said Michael Petterson, a lawyer for the Catholic Archdiocese in Seattle. “It’s a sad day. We’re very disappointed that it reached this level,” Read more
An estimated a crowd of 1.5 million people assembled for the the beatification of John Paul II. Many camped out during the night in the square, which was bedecked with posters of the late pope and one of his most famous sayings, “Do not be afraid!” St Peter’s Square was jam-packed and the crowd stretched as far Read more
Recent public discussions about changing or abolishing the 1701 Act of Settlement, forbidding members of the British Royal Family from marrying a Catholic, have been quietly shelved. The Church England raised significant logical objections, centring on the sovereign’s dual role as Monarch and head of the Anglican Church. Church of England leaders were concerned that Read more
Momentum is building in Rome for the beatification of John Paul II, however the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton is gaining the attention of the world’s media. John Paul II is considered a modern Catholic hero, and the Vatican is working overtime to make the beatification go viral and embarking on a social Read more
The average age of men ordained to the priesthood in 2011 is trending younger with the average age for the 2011 class at 34, with more than half between the ages of 25 and 34. This is slightly younger than in 2010, and follows the trend over the past five years of new priests getting Read more