Ireland is poised for a significant shift in funeral ceremonies The Association of Catholic Priests predicts that priestless funerals will become increasingly common by the decade’s end. Fr Roy Donovan, the priests’ association spokesperson, foresees that ceremonies led by lay ministers, often without a funeral Mass, will become firmly established in a few years. The Read more
In a world where climate change is impacting many, religious leaders say it’s a moral problem they have a stake in. It’s not just a problem for the science community. Religious leaders are concerned. They’re asking what religion’s future might look like in a world with a vastly changing climate. Some think it could mean Read more
On Saturday, the Holy Father appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, MC, former Superior General of the Institute of Consolata Missionaries (Italy), as the Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Sister Brambilla was born in Monza, Italy, on 27 March 1965. She graduated as a professional nurse in 1986 Read more
Shaminda Kanapathi is a Tamil from Sri Lanka who suffered dreadfully under the Australian-run immigration detention program in Papua New Guinea. While he now lives safely and productively near Finland’s capital of Helsinki, he is a prime example of why a parliamentary inquiry into this program on both the Australian mainland and offshore is needed Read more
The conflict in Gaza cast a shadow on Monday over a major conference on the Vatican and the Holocaust, with one participant calling the carnage the worst slaughter of civilian Jews in one day since then. The conference was organised after the opening in 2020 of Vatican archives of the pontificate of Pius XII, which Read more
Vatican officials have clarified that media engagement during the Synod of Bishops is a personal decision, and those who choose to give interviews will face no punishment. The clarification followed a recent interview given by German Cardinal Gerhard Müller to EWTN, raising questions about Pope Francis’s call for a media ‘fast’. Italian layman Paolo Ruffini, Read more
Legendary Manchester United football manager Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his regret over not standing up to the Rangers directors who questioned him about his late wife’s Catholic faith when he signed for the club in 1967. Lady Cathy Ferguson, Sir Alex’s ‘tower of strength,’ recently passed away at the age of 84. Sir Alex, a Read more
Advocates for women’s ordination in the Catholic Church gathered in prayer and solidarity at the Basilica of St Praxedes in Rome during the historic Synod on Synodality. The Vatican has drawn the faithful from across the globe, including bishops and cardinals, for the month-long synod. The synod, arising from a comprehensive global consultation of Catholics, Read more
Climate change is not a crisis, according to many US religious groups and individuals. A new Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) survey found beliefs on climate change severity haven’t changed much among religious groups over the past decade. The June 2023 “One Home One Future” survey is the latest multifaith effort aiming to engage congregations Read more
Youth unemployment and poverty is affecting about a fifth of China’s youngest workers. It’s a problem that concerns everyone – from China’s president, to social media commentators and song writers. A new song – Tang Ping (Lying Flat) – takes a jibe at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for downplaying the high rate of youth Read more