The Catholic Church has called for a public acknowledgement of the extent of anti-Catholicism in Scotland following evidence that Catholics are victims of more religious hate crime than any other group. New statistics released by the Scottish government revealed an increase of 26 per cent in religious hate crimes in 2011-2012. Anti-Catholic attacks made up Read more
The only blended Catholic and Episcopal parish in the United States has been told it must change its worship services so Catholics and non-Catholics go to separate rooms for the Eucharist. The decision by the Catholic diocese of Richmond in Virginia has upset parishioners who have worshipped side by side, with co-pastors, in a blended Read more
As the controversy over the sexual abuse of children continues in Australia, politicians and editorial writers are calling for Catholic priests to be forced to break the seal of confession in sex-abuse cases. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon labeled the seal of confession an anachronism and told reporters: “This is a medieval law that needs to Read more
“We have been living in an atmosphere of tension . . . . Attacks and retaliations have been going on practically non-stop. All activities have been interrupted. People are scared . . . . This description of life in Gaza under bombardment comes from a sister of the Congregation of the Incarnate Word, which is Read more
What is the fastest growing religion? Worldwide, it is Islam. But outside Europe, the growth of Christianity is still ahead. This is the conclusion of Philip Jenkins, a distinguished scholar at Baylor University in Texas, who specialises in religious history. He points particularly to phenomenal growth of Christianity in Africa. “During the twentieth century,” Jenkins Read more
The scenario is familiar to everyone working in parish ministry–8th Grade religious education apathy. When they’re young, they are so full of natural desire for religion. In 3rd Grade, their eyes light up when talking about God. Even by 6th Grade, you can still see that spark. However, in 7th Grade it starts to wane, Read more
Several Protestant clergy and Catholic priests in Pakistan have called on their churches to consider relaxing attitudes towards Christian polygamists, or risk a drop in Church membership. Their concerns follow the strong impact of Islamic society on religious minority families. Continue reading
Catholic clergy and people in Nigeria are at a point of “near desperation” after the a suicide-bomb attack on a church during Mass, according to the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama wrote about “seeing children, women and men bombed out of existence”. The October 28 bomb, the latest in a series Read more
As Brazil prepares to host World Youth Day next July, a rock-star priest has opened one of the world’s biggest worship spaces in Sao Paulo, where his inaugural Mass drew a congregation of more than 50,000. Father Marcelo Rossi, a nationally known singer, TV host and actor, is campaigning to stem the exodus of the Read more