Tuesday was a special day for Ronaldo Luís Nazario da Lima, the Brazilian and world soccer legend nicknamed “O Fenômeno” (“The Phenomenon”), who at the age of 46 took a significant step in his life of faith by receiving the sacrament of baptism. After the ceremony at São José (St Joseph) Parish, located in the Read more
World
Pakistani pastor terminated for ‘fake’ shooting
Monday, September 18th, 2023The Presbyterian Church in Pakistan has terminated a pastor who shot at his hand to fake an assassination attempt on him over blasphemy allegations in Punjab province. Pastor Eleazar Sidhu was suspended on Sept 13 after he “voluntarily confessed” to “colleagues and friends” that the injury was self-inflicted, said Reverend Pastor Altaf Khan, on behalf Read more
Catholic women divided over sex, divorce and patriarchy
Thursday, September 14th, 2023
Catholic women and their views on sex, divorce and patriarchy show a generational divide, a recent Australian University of Newcastle study found. Older women want reform, but younger Catholic women are more conservative. They want the rules on sex, contraception and the priesthood to remain as they are. About the study The study surveyed 17,200 Read more
New doctrine chief welcomes theological debates but warns of schism
Thursday, September 14th, 2023
Cardinal-elect Víctor Manuel Fernández, set to lead the Vatican’s chief doctrinal office, has expressed his readiness for theological debates, emphasising their role in deepening the Church’s grasp of the Gospel. In an interview with the National Catholic Register, Fernández (pictured) acknowledged that while the core doctrine remains unchanged and the Gospel is immutable, the Church Read more
Speculation surrounds possible resignation of Bishop Joseph Strickland
Thursday, September 14th, 2023
Rumours are circulating about the possible resignation of Catholic Bishop Joseph Strickland of the Diocese of Tyler in Texas. There is speculation that Pope Francis may request his departure. The recent developments came to light following a meeting between Pope Francis, Archbishop Robert Prevost – the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops prefect, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Read more
Synod on Synodality organisers alleviate concerns
Thursday, September 14th, 2023
Organisers of the Synod on Synodality scheduled for October in Rome have moved to ease concerns and reassure the faithful that this synod poses no threat despite being conducted behind closed doors. “The way we will communicate the synod is very important for the discernment process of the entire church,” said Paolo Ruffini. Ruffini heads Read more
Vatican lobbies for Convention on Cluster Munitions
Thursday, September 14th, 2023
The Vatican is lobbying for nations to adopt the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The Convention aims to prohibit the use of such munitions, their production, transfer and stockpiling. “Any additional State Party to the Convention represents a renewed impulse to achieve universality, further ensuring that there will be fewer victims in the future and that Read more
Perth Catholic Archbishop Timothy Costelloe in heated exchange over handling of child sex cases
Thursday, September 14th, 2023The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth has defended the church’s handling of child sexual abuse compensation claims during an at-times heated appearance before a West Australian parliamentary inquiry. On Monday, the Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe said he rejected any suggestion the church was trying to avoid taking responsibility for historical child sex abuses or did Read more
Michigan Catholic group wins zoning fight over display of Stations of the Cross
Thursday, September 14th, 2023A Catholic group will be allowed to post religious displays along a privately owned “prayer trail” depicting the last day of Jesus after a zoning fight with a local government in southeastern Michigan went all the way to a federal appeals court. The court ruled 3-0 in favour of the group. It issued an injunction Read more
Caritas Australia responds to devastating earthquake in Morocco
Thursday, September 14th, 2023Caritas agencies are responding to the devastating earthquake in Morocco, where over 2,600 lives have been lost and thousands have been injured. The 6.8 magnitude earthquake is the strongest in over a century. Entire buildings have collapsed, and there are reports some remote villages have been completely destroyed, leaving people trapped or homeless. Many families Read more