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
The biggest obstacle to preaching the gospel today in Scotland is the Catholic Church itself, says the Bishop of Galloway. Read more
A synod on women’s role in the life and mission of the Church has been proposed. The proposal is contained in a statement approved by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America’s plenary assembly. The Commission, which includes 22 Latin American cardinals and bishops, said it was both possible and “urgent” to increase opportunities for women Read more
Chile’s Catholic Church has asked for a drastic solution that could include resignations. The call came a day after Pope Francis acknowledged “grave mistakes” in handling a sexual abuse crisis and summoned Church leaders to Rome. At a meeting of Church leadership on Chile’s central coast, Santiago Silva, the president of the Episcopal Conference, said Read more