An investigation into alleged sex abuses by priests in the Diocese of Pennsylvania in the United States found that two bishops protected over 50 priests who sexually abused hundreds of children. The 147-page grand jury report came uncovered a “secret archive” of evidence stuffed into boxes and filing cabinets in a church office in the Read more
South Korea’s parliament has approved a bill that will require the nation’s clergy to pay taxes from 2018. South Korea has an estimated 360,000 priests and monks whose earnings will be re-classified as “religious income”, rather than the current label of “honorarium”. A sliding scale means those earning 40 million won (US$34,500) or less a Read more
One of the most severe critics of the Church’s handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal has briefed members of a pontifical commission. Fr Thomas Doyle, OP, met four members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors last month. The priest emphasised two main points: The need for real accountability on the part Read more
Pope Francis has said the Catholic Church should not have “leaders for life” in its ranks. Otherwise it would risk being like a country under a dictatorship, he told 30,000 people at a rally in St Peter’s Square on July 3. “There should be a time limit to positions (in the Church), which in reality Read more
A group representing hundreds of priests has asked the United States Catholic bishops to start dialogue towards the ordination of married men to the priesthood. The Association of US Catholic Priests, which represents about 1000 mostly Vatican II-era priests, wrote to the bishops last month. According to an article in the National Catholic Reporter, the Read more
A total of 535 years of priestly ministry was celebrated in Auckland as 13 priests were acknowledged and appreciated for their years of service to the faithful. Msgr Paul Farmer, chairman of the Council of Priests, said the celebration of their brother priests’ jubilees is a significant day that no priest dare miss. Continue reading Read more
Many Catholics find it hard to choose a gift for a priest. Well here is something that takes you beyond the black sock and handkerchiefs… a set of clerical pyjamas. They come with a black top which has a clerical collar. You have a variety of colours and patterns to choose from for pants. If Read more
An Italian cardinal has defended national guidelines exempting Italian bishops from having to report claims of abuse by clergy to police. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian bishops’ conference, said Italian law does not require it and victims may not want it. The guidelines, published in revised form in late March, were called for Read more
When the head of an international religious order visited Japan many years ago, I was asked to be his translator. One evening at a convent of the order, the superior greeted a large group of nuns, saying what a pleasure it was to be with them for the visitation (shisatsu). I thought I had turned Read more
Some African clergy have likened foreign criticism about gay rights on their continent to a new wave of Western colonialism. Support for government legislation criminalising homosexual acts and levying harsh penalties is widespread among Christians in Africa. A Kenyan religious scholar said homosexuality is not new in Africa, but open promotion and marketing of it Read more