Follow your conscience, not your ego, said Pope Francis in an Angelus address in which he said Jesus does not want “remote-controlled” Christians who are not free. He gave the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, as a model of attention to the voice of one’s conscience. “When the Lord had made it clear, in Read more
Ireland’s Catholic bishops have denounced proposed legislation on abortion, saying it “appears to impose a duty on Catholic hospitals to provide abortions”. Supporters of the Irish abortion bill say it would give “conscience-clause” protection to health-care personnel who did not wish to be involved in abortions, but the bishops question that claim. Ironically, the proposed Read more
A public opinion poll in the United States has shown a significant gap between what the Catholic Church teaches and what American Catholics actually believe. Asked if they believe the pope is infallible when he teaches on matters of morality or faith, only 40 per cent of the total sample (and 45 per cent of Read more
President Obama has abandoned his stand that religious organisations must pay for birth control for workers. Seeking to end the election-year furore, particularly from the Catholic Church, Obama’s compromise meant women would still get free birth control; Obama demanding that insurance companies step in and provide the coverage. Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York initially called Read more