The Diocese of Mendi is nestled in the mountains in the southern highland region of Papua New Guinea. When the first missionaries came to the area in the mid-1950s there were no Catholics. The diocese now has 80,000 – around 10 percent of the population. Bishop Donald Lippert says the diocese has a vibrant and Read more
Cardinal Timothy Dolan says honesty, humbly and openly sharing the “wounds” and shortcomings of the church, might bring those who are alienated back to the practice of the faith. Using the image of the church as “our supernatural family … [which] priests, are called to image,” Dolan says human weakness has been a part of Read more
A group of Sisters formed a Latin pop and rock band in Peru three years ago and now find themselves with an international following. They go on stage wearing traditional black-and-white habits The Sisters, who come from eight countries and range in age from 20s to 40s, insist they aren’t rock stars. But they certainly Read more
Former Nigerian priest Patrick Edet, who was excommunicated last month, has officially launched his own church. Edet has begun a “mega revival” programme using his outreach. While serving as a priest, Edet ran a ‘Pentecostal-styled’ Grace Family Outreach fellowship within the Catholic structure. Although the church has barred Catholics from relating with Edet, some have Read more
The pope’s runners will debut the Vatican colours on 17 September in an interreligious marathon. About 30 Vatican employees, both men and women, have created a track-team, the Athletica Vaticana or (as they call themselves) the pope’s runners. Read more
Nepal will pass a bill next week criminalising religious conversions and banning ‘hurting religious sentiment’. Once it is signed, a clause in Nepal’s new constitution barring religious conversion will come into effect. Anyone convicted under the new law could face up to five years in prison for seeking to convert a person or “undermine the Read more
Just as Jesus preached while commuting to and from Emmaus, a Scottish bishop and priest have been preaching while commuting in Scotland. Last week Paisley’s Bishop John Keenan toured Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire on a double-decker bus, aiming to “bring faith issues to the high street.” The Mercy Bus – also known as “the church Read more
The new Christchurch Airport prayer room is located on the ground floor next to the domestic baggage area collection point, between international arrivals and the check in hall. The dedication ceremony was attended by representative leaders of the Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist communities attended and individually blessed the room. Continue reading
Ordained minister Kenneth Drayton has turned his 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis into a church-on-wheels, transforming his car into a divine vehicle for himself and his passengers. “The job lets me open the door into my passenger’s lives,” said Drayton, 54, who said his Brooklyn trips often turn into therapy sessions. “The hope is to brighten Read more