Posts Tagged ‘Catholic News’

Seminarians lack of authentic formation in African is a problem

Thursday, August 1st, 2024
seminarians

Seminarians in Africa are not allowed “to be themselves”. They must find ways “to get by” Father Augustine Anwuchie from Nigeria said on July 19. He was speaking during the latest of a series of digital meetings with theologians and other experts in Africa. The meetings aim to deepen understanding of the Synod on Synodality Read more

Full text of Pope Francis’ urbi et orbi blessing for Easter 2024

Monday, April 8th, 2024
Pope Francis

On the morning of Easter Sunday 2024, Pope Francis presided over Mass in St Peter’s Square before delivering his urbi et orbi message and blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of an estimated 60,000 people. “Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” I Read more

Woman with Down syndrome challenges abortion law at EU Human Rights Court

Monday, May 22nd, 2023
Down syndrome

A woman with Down syndrome is fighting the UK abortion law at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Heidi Crowter says the current legislation discriminates against people with disabilities. It allows abortion up to birth if the foetus has a condition such as Down syndrome. “I am taking this case to Strasbourg because it Read more

Vatican holds thermal shirt drive for Ukraine

Thursday, December 8th, 2022
thermal shirt

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Service of Charity is holding a thermal shirt drive to help people in Ukraine, who are facing an energy emergency amid the war. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the pope’s almoner, says the charity office is “already stocking up” on thermal shirts for men, women and children. He is encouraging others to Read more

Religion is ‘interruption’, not continuity, says bishop

Thursday, September 29th, 2022
Religion is interruption

The shortest definition of religion is “interruption,” says Bishop Georg Bätzing (pictured). Some forms of continuity people seek from religion are “frankly suspect,” the president of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference asserts. Bätzing made the comments during the bishops’ plenary assembly in a live-streamed Mass on Tuesday. In his homily he said “all too surely Read more

Deaths, injuries follow rocket attack at Syrian church inauguration

Thursday, July 28th, 2022
attack

An attack on Sunday at a Greek Orthodox church in Syria resulted in two deaths and twelve injuries. It was the newly-built Hagia Sophia Church’s inaugural celebration. The weapons landed just 15 meters from where clerics and the congregation were gathered in front of the building. The attack has been variously attributed to rockets, missiles Read more

Cologne’s cardinal offers pope resignation over scandals

Thursday, March 3rd, 2022
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Cologne’s cardinal, Rainer Maria Woelki, for a second time, has offered his resignation to Pope Francis. Woelki has been facing strong criticism for several months for his responses to allegations of child abuse in the Church. He chose to take a five-month break from his duties last September after the Vatican report accused him of Read more

French Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church rebuts critique

Monday, February 14th, 2022
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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

Young people make short films about hope; huge response

Monday, November 22nd, 2021
Salesian Institutions of Higher Education

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

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