Some dioceses and parishes will not survive financially in the future and while there is “pain in letting go” passing on the Faith is more important, the Primate of All Ireland has said. Simply “ensuring that the next generation of Irish people believe in God” is the reality the Church is facing, not the expensive upkeep of Read more
World
Record rise in blasphemy cases rings alarm in Pakistan
Thursday, November 7th, 2024An exponential rise in blasphemy cases and consequent jailing in religiously conservative Pakistan have sparked concerns among faith leaders. According to the report of Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), the number of people arrested and jailed in the first half of this year increased threefold compared to last year. The report of the Read more
Pope adds anti-mafia bishop to list of new cardinals
Thursday, November 7th, 2024Pope Francis will include an extra appointment to the college of cardinals in the December consistory, the Holy See announced on Monday. The pope has decided to create Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples alongside the slate of new appointments announced Oct 6. Archbishop Battaglia, 61, has been seen as a rising star in the Italian Read more
McAleese and others criticise Synod final document
Thursday, November 7th, 2024Dr Mary McAleese has criticised the final document of the Catholic Church’s Synod on Synodality, saying there is “nothing” in it that could not have been written “in a half day” by Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith “before the synodal circus started”. In a statement expressing frustration at the 52-page report which was Read more
Convicted cardinal says Pope should “no longer be head of state”
Monday, November 4th, 2024
Convicted Cardinal Angelo Becciu has suggested that the pope’s role in governing Vatican City should be reevaluated and that he should “no longer be head of state”. In a series of interviews aired on Belgian television, Becciu discussed Pope Francis’ role and his own conviction for fraud and embezzlement. Becciu, who served as the papal Read more
‘Pope’s theologian’ backs women deacons as “pastorally sensible”
Monday, November 4th, 2024
Cardinal Walter Kasper, a conservative voice in the Vatican – and often called ‘the pope’s theologian’ – has publicly supported the inclusion of women deacons in the Catholic Church. Speaking to the German catholic journal Communio, Kasper noted that after considerable thought, he believes it “theologically possible and pastorally sensible” for women to be admitted Read more
African bishops block push for local doctrinal autonomy
Monday, November 4th, 2024
At the recent Synod on Synodality, African bishops were instrumental in blocking moves to grant greater doctrinal autonomy to national episcopal conferences. Archbishop Andrew Nkea (pictured) of Bamenda, Cameroon, confirmed the African delegation’s satisfaction with the synod’s final report, which Pope Francis adopted. African bishops sought to prevent any shift in doctrinal authority to local Read more
French bishop’s gourmet ham project at risk
Monday, November 4th, 2024
A French bishop’s novel way of curing ham in the bell towers of Saint-Flour Cathedral is under scrutiny as national building preservation authorities voice concerns over potential damage to the historic structure. For two years, Saint-Flour Cathedral has doubled as a drying house for 60 succulent hams, maturing up to a year before being sold Read more
Many modern hymns banned by diocese and abusive composers dumped
Monday, November 4th, 2024
Using Catholic hymns containing doctrinal inaccuracies, or those written by composers with credible accusations of abuse against them, is no longer allowed in one US diocese. “Lord of the Dance” is off the list the diocese says. So is “Let us Break Bread together on our Knees”. Guidelines Last week a decree from the Diocese Read more
New Catholic support network for Oceania’s migrants & refugees
Monday, November 4th, 2024
A new Catholic support network that will extend across the Pacific aims to take care of Oceania’s migrant workers, refugees and their families. The Most Rev. Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay, Australia (pictured left), who is President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conference of Oceania, (New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands) says Read more