Recent child abuse statistics reveal a deeper “rot” in our society. Child abuse is unacceptable; it is an inexcusable and despicable act that warrants the prosecution of perpetrators to the full extent of the law, says Save the Children Fiji chief executive officer Shairana Ali. She said this in response to the recent revelation of Read more
World
Synod members to make pilgrimage to catacombs; pray with refugees
Monday, October 2nd, 2023In addition to their three-day retreat outside of Rome, more than 350 members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops are expected to go on a pilgrimage “to the roots of the Christian faith,” visiting the Rome catacombs. Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and president of the synod communication committee, told Read more
South Sudanese refugees, fleeing a second civil war in Sudan, return home to bleak prospects
Monday, October 2nd, 2023Sitting outside her tent with her children at the Internally Displaced Peoples camp in northeastern South Sudan, Magaret Dut Wol described through tears how her family had not eaten for days and was about to die from hunger. “There’s no food for South Sudanese refugees returning from Sudan due to the ongoing civil war,” said Read more
China-Vatican deal shows positive effects: China expert
Monday, October 2nd, 2023The Vatican-China agreement signed five years ago yielded positive results despite the dialogue between Beijing and Rome not progressing as desired, says a China expert Belgian missionary priest. Two Chinese bishops attending the upcoming Synod on Synodality beginning in the Vatican next month is obviously a clear fruit of the agreement, said Scheut missionary Father Read more
Science helps avoid bad compassion
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
In a candid discussion with reporters on September 23, Pope Francis warned against what he termed bad compassion. Francis defined bad compassion as the law not to let the child grow in the mother’s womb or the law of euthanasia in disease and old age.” Clarifying, he added “I am not saying it is a Read more
Swiss bishops’ president calls for end of priestly celibacy
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
The Swiss Bishops’ Conference president has voiced strong support for the abolition of priestly celibacy, a tradition he believes no longer resonates with modern society. In a candid interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) am Sonntag, Bishop Felix Gmür (pictured) also acknowledged past mistakes in addressing abuse cases within the Catholic Church and called Read more
Divine decision: churches split on indigenous Voice vote
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
As the clock ticks down to the October 14 Australian referendum on the Indigenous Voice, religious leaders in Australia are under the spotlight. Despite the political risks of taking a stand, some urge these leaders to move beyond mere words and show decisive support for the constitutional change. Francis Sullivan, who formerly led the Catholic Read more
Pope Francis condemns body shaming, shares personal experience
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
Pope Francis strongly denounced body shaming among young people and revealed his past involvement in such behaviour during his childhood in Argentina. Francis commented on the issue while speaking to university students in Asia via a video link. The pope was moved by a young woman from India who shared her experiences of feeling embarrassed Read more
Vatican urges pause on lethal autonomous weapons
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
The Holy See’s foreign minister addressed the UN General Assembly, calling for a halt to the deployment of lethal autonomous weapons systems. Archbishop Paul Gallagher joined a chorus of concerns raised by various speakers regarding artificial intelligence (AI). “It is imperative to ensure adequate, meaningful and consistent human oversight of weapon systems,” Gallagher said. “Only Read more
Vatican calls claims that cardinal withdrew from synod over abuse case ‘pure fantasy’
Thursday, September 28th, 2023After media reports suggesting that Spanish Cardinal Luis Ladaria’s withdrawal from the upcoming Synod of Bishops on Synodality was tied to his handling of the case of a prominent Jesuit artist accused of abuse, the Vatican called those claims “pure fantasy.” “Regarding some media articles relating to the reasons for why Cardinal Ladaria Ferrer will Read more