There has been a significant rise in adult baptisms in Belgium. This year 305 adults will be baptized – 61 more than in 2019. The number of adult baptisms in Belgium has been growing for several years. There were 143 in 2010, 180 in 2015, 244 last year and over 300 this year. Although the Read more
Places of worship in Ireland have been exempted from the country’s indoor gathering restrictions. The relaxation of the rules responds to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin’s concerns about the feasibility of enforcing the restrictions. Ireland’s Phase Three set a limit of 50 people for indoor gatherings and 100 people for outdoor gatherings. In Phase Four Read more
Pope Francis has ordered a Polish bishop to leave his diocese and let someone else run it. Bishop of Kalisz, Edward Janiak must stay away while he is being investigated for covering up sexual abuse cases. He will retain the title of bishop for the meantime, however. The cases Janiak allegedly covered up featured in Read more
Switzerland’s largest Roman Catholic diocese says it will welcome the arrival of civil marriage equality if the Swiss National Council passes legislation allowing it. The Council is tipped to consider the issue within the next few months. Given that the civil law changes, the Diocese of Basel says it will bless same-sex unions, as long Read more
At the Catholic cathedral where Zimbabwe’s former independence leader and ruler Robert Mugabe attended Mass, prayers for his forgiveness were offered on Sunday. Mugabe died last Friday in Singapore. He was 95 Father Richard Mushukua opened Sunday’s Mass paying tribute to Mugabe and asking congregants to forgive him. “He did a lot of positive things Read more
The results of last month’s survey asking for opinions on a wide range of topics about the Catholic Church and social issues have been released by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute. One question asked about Pope Francis and the Church’s handling of sexual abuse cases. The survey found 64 percent view the Pope favourably. Read more
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election was strongly opposed by the Catholic Church. “Since the announcement of the fraudulent elections convened by a Constitutional Assembly, which was itself illegitimately elected, and in the absence of opposition candidates, we knew … Maduro would be re-elected and that he would use any means to achieve this,” Father Georges Read more
The Catholic Church in Sudan has given hope to its people says the chair of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North. Abdelaziz Adam al-Hilu says the the Church has encouraged the people of the Nuba Mountains during decades of war with the government in Khartoum. “Bishop Macram gave hope to the people. He gave them courage Read more
Cameroon needs the Catholic Church to help broker peace, says the International Crisis Group. It could help break the stalemate between separatists and security forces, the Group says. “Other than the Catholic clergy, there are few prospective peacemakers.” Read more
The Basque separatist organisation, ETA, says it will lay down its arms next month. The announcement has Spanish church leaders giving thanks to God. ETA has apologised to its victims, saying it regrets the harm caused by its violent campaign for an independent homeland. “We thank God this terrible nightmare of blood and horror is Read more