The 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
World
Pope makes church first co-cathedral in history of British Isles
Thursday, September 28th, 2023Pope Francis has awarded a UK church “co-cathedral status,” making it the first of its kind in the history of the British Isles. The Church of St Mary of the Isle, located in Douglas on the Isle of Man, has achieved this rare status after Douglas was formally recognised as a city during the late Read more
German priests bless same-sex couples in defiance of archbishop
Monday, September 25th, 2023
In an act of defiance against the conservative stance of Cologne’s archbishop Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, several priests gathered outside Cologne Cathedral for a ceremony blessing same-sex couples. The protest was sparked by criticism in March directed at a priest from Mettmann, a town near Duesseldorf. He had conducted a “blessing ceremony for lovers,” including Read more
Cardinal Müller expresses concerns over upcoming synod
Monday, September 25th, 2023
Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the conservative former Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith prefect, has voiced his deep apprehension about aspects of the upcoming Synod on synodality. In a candid interview with Spanish Catholic news website InfoVaticana, Müller (pictured) also expressed his concern about the current state of the Church. The interview follows the Vatican’s recent Read more
A young Catholic phenomenon – Hakuna movement
Monday, September 25th, 2023
Young Spanish Catholics are increasingly drawn to the burgeoning Hakuna movement which has extended its reach to more than 15 other countries. The movement, founded by Fr José Pedro Manglano, is characterised by its focus on music, adoration, formation talks, charity activities, retreats and missionary work. Hakuna has also made waves on social media with Read more
Church doing its bit to help NY’s booming migrant crisis
Monday, September 25th, 2023
There’s a booming migrant crisis exploding across New York City. The city’s bursting. NYC Mayor Adams has declared a state of emergency. Archbishop of New York, Timothy Cardinal Dolan is trying to fix it – or at least, get some relief. He’s been calling out for a fellow Catholic, President Joe Biden, to help with Read more
WA Police already have Vatican report on Bishop Saunders
Monday, September 25th, 2023
A Vatican report about Bishop Saunders has already been handed to Western Australia Police. The facts run counter to a scandalous allegation to the contrary, says a statement from the Catholic Church. Recent news reports allege the Church has refused to hand the Vatican report to the Police. The Conference has responded firmly, denying the Read more
No numb spectators of migrant shipwreck tragedies
Monday, September 25th, 2023
Pope Francis was visibly moved when on the way home from Marseille he was presented with a photograph of a young migrant child. Francis was in Marseille to address a Mediterranean forum on migration. The image was captured by Reuters photographer Yara Nardi who accompanied the Pope on his journey from Rome to Marseille. “As Read more
France postpones assisted dying bill until after papal stopover
Monday, September 25th, 2023France appears set to legalise assisted suicide but will delay the presentation of its new end-of-life bill until after Pope Francis visits Marseille on 22-23 September. Originally planned for early this month, the bill is due to include “active aid to die”. Exact details have not yet been revealed, but the long debate about end-of-life Read more