The Vatican’s decision to renew the secretive Vatican-China deal amid Beijing’s crackdown on religious freedom conditions is making things worse for Catholics, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) members say. USCIRF Commissioner David Curry (pictured) says “USCIRF is disappointed that the Vatican had decided to renew the provisional agreement with the Chinese government Read more
Simon Duong Ngoc Hai pays regular visits to his close Buddhist friends, plays chess with them, discusses social and religious issues and learns practical skills such as growing bonsai, yellow apricot flowers and orchids from them. Hai also invites them to attend Christmas parties at his home and enjoys their frequent visits. Many of them Read more
Back in 2000, sociologist Andrew Greeley wrote a book called “The Catholic Imagination,” in which he looked at the enduring power of Catholic stories, images and sensibilities in shaping the experiences of artists through the ages — from the 16th-century Italian sculptor Bernini to the film director Martin Scorsese. Now there’s a new addition to Read more
It is a blessing to have a Pope who sees a world of religious multiplication rather than religious division. Many of us grew up in an era of “We are right and the others are wrong.” Christian churches seemed to have high fences around them, and religions that were not Christian were often labelled “Heathen” Read more
Survivor groups are not hopeful that the Royal Commission into the Abuse in Care will bring around change in churches. A spokesperson for the Network of Survivors of Abuse in Faith-Based Institutions, Liz Tonks, told RNZ that “victim-survivors were not hopeful because their experiences of churches is they have not been able to trust them Read more
When I’m asked why I am a Catholic, the simplest answer is: “Because it works.” Sometimes, that hasn’t been enough. People have wanted detail, a comprehensive answer to their “why?” The explanation can be long and tedious. Do they want a personal journey? Or something about Catholic teaching? It is one thing to talk about Read more
One of the world’s best soccer managers is crediting his Catholic upbringing and hard-working family values for his success. Former Arsenal manager, Arsen Wenger, told BBC Radio 4, “Desert Island Discs” that he was driven to succeed in the high-pressure world of football because of his family’s deep Catholic faith and a legendary work ethic. Read more
In spring of 1980, Pope John Paul II had one of the longest meetings of his fledgeling papacy. It wasn’t with a world leader, a U.S. president or even a secretary of state. It was with a 37-year-old Joe Biden, a U.S. senator barely a year into his second term. According to a Catholic News Read more
“Bakla” is the most fearsome word in my life. It means “gay” in Filipino, a label I wanted to stay far away from, growing up. Like many Filipinos, I was raised in a devoutly Catholic home and went to an all-boys school run by priests most of my life. My family, teachers, and friends never Read more
Pope Francis, Sunday wished Patriarch Bartholomew a blessed feast of Saint Andrew and praised their shared friendship. He then went further, expressing his desire for full communion between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Following a long-standing custom, the Holy See sent a delegation to Istanbul to celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, the patron saint Read more