Leaders of New Zealand’s four main Christian denominations have released a statement on Russian aggression in Ukraine. Across the globe people are horrified by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. In a region that learnt the devastating lessons of war last century, the pattern has the tragic possibility of repeating. It flies in the face Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Catholic Church’
French Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church rebuts critique
Monday, February 14th, 2022
Last October, Jean-Marc Sauvé gave the French Bishops’ Conference the report he and members of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (CIASE) had compiled. Then in November, the French Catholic Academy published a 15-page critique of the report. The Academy has about 70 members. “The most serious defects of the CIASE report, Read more
Vatican’s Synodal process in trouble
Thursday, February 10th, 2022
The Vatican says the Church’s effort to listen to the 1.34 billion Catholics worldwide through a synodal process is facing challenges. The synod’s diocesan phase is expected to last until 15 August. “Many of the faithful perceive the synodal process as a crucial moment in the Church’s life, as a learning process as well as Read more
Pope cautions over ‘interpretation’ of sexual abuse report
Thursday, December 9th, 2021
Pope Francis is urging people to be cautious in the way they interpret the report released in October about child sexual abuse by French Catholic clergy. The “historical situation” must be interpreted by the standards of the time, Francis says. The October report from an independent commission of inquiry confirmed extensive sexual abuse of minors Read more
Procedural norms updated for crimes judged by doctrinal office
Thursday, December 9th, 2021
The pope has updated the Church’s procedural norms for dealing with delicts – serious crimes such as schism, sacramental desecration and abuse of minors. On Tuesday, Pope Francis publicised adaptations to the “Norms on the delicts reserved for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith”. The following day on 8 December (the feast of Read more
Young people make short films about hope; huge response
Monday, November 22nd, 2021
The theme “Moved by Hope” inspired hundreds of short film submissions from young people from across the world to a new Catholic-run international film festival. The festival strives to embrace, encourage and empower every young person to become the voice of hope and solidarity. “You, young people, are the architects of the future, signs of Read more
Catholic bishop says protecting children overrules confessional secrecy
Thursday, October 14th, 2021
In an abrupt volte-face, France’s top Catholic bishop says protecting children from sexual abuse overrules confessional secrecy, the RFIa French news and current affairs public radio station has reported. This remark made by Bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort (pictured) completely contradicts the comments he made last week when he suggested priests should not violate the confessional Read more
Synod’s about listening to the Holy Spirit, not gathering opinions
Monday, September 27th, 2021
Pope Francis says the two-year process leading to the 2023 synod on synodality is not about “gathering opinions,” but “listening to the Holy Spirit.” He repeatedly stressed the Holy Spirit’s role in decision-making. The three-phase synod opens next month with a diocesan phase, which will run until April. A second, continental phase will take place Read more
Social media posts see Catholic priest denied place as uni chaplain
Monday, August 30th, 2021
Catholic priest Fr David Palmer’s social media posts have seen the University of Nottingham decline to recognise him as a chaplain. “Our concern was not in relation to Fr. David’s views themselves, but the manner in which these views have been expressed in the context of our diverse community of people of many faiths,” the Read more
Catholic church removes Pride flag after hostile response
Thursday, June 24th, 2021
An Irish Catholic church has been forced to remove a Pride flag flown on the premises following backlash from the Diocese and some of the public. Ballyfermot Assumption Parish Church in Dublin erected both an Irish Tricolour and an LGBT+ Pride flag last week. The flags were flown last week by decision of the parish Read more