Pope Francis has announced that all priests will have the discretion to absolve the sin of abortion confessed by women during the upcoming Year of Mercy. This power is normally reserved to bishops, who frequently themselves grant priests permission to forgive the sin. Procurement of an abortion incurs an automatic excommunication under Church law. The Read more
In 1978, Dr. Dabney Ewin, a surgeon specializing in burns, was on duty in a New Orleans emergency room when a man was brought in on a gurney. A worker at the Kaiser Aluminum plant, the patient had slipped and fallen into a vat of 950-degree molten aluminum up to his knees. Ewin did something Read more
An Indian bishop has said a 71-year-old nun who was the victim of a gang rape has forgiven her attackers. Bishop Joseph Gomes of Krishnagar, who visited the nun in hospital on Monday, added: “She told me that ‘justice should be done’.” “This should be never be repeated or happen to anyone else.” The attack Read more
Ryan Craig is walking with a purpose. The Oamaru man is trekking the length of New Zealand carrying a cross to spread a message of forgiveness and unity. The walk will coincide with the double centenary of the first message preached by missionary Samuel Marsden. “I have a heart for this nation and seeing unity Read more
It’s a “national tragedy”, a “dirty secret”, an “outrage”. But within the hyperbole surrounding the issue of domestic violence in our country are countless stories of individuals and families who have felt its impact first-hand. My own family has such a story – but we’re ‘lucky ones’, who ‘got away’. My sister and I escaped Read more
Pope Francis has asked for forgiveness for the damage that abusive priests have inflicted on children. He was speaking on April 11 to the International Catholic Child Bureau, a French Catholic network that works to promote the rights of children. The Pope’s remarks, which were unscripted, appear to be his strongest yet on the subject Read more
Members of New Plymouth’s Catholic community have offered support to the woman alleged to have set fire to their church down on January 6. Last week, a group of about 10 mostly elderly people, several of whom were family members, supported Donna Joy Esma Mischeski in court where she pleaded not guilty to wilfully damaging Read more
The mother of a young man who died, after being brutally assaulted in central Auckland, New Zealand, has already forgiven the man accused of causing the injury that to ended his life. Her son, 25-year-old Tarun Asthana died Monday 4 November, two days after suffering critical head injuries in an unproved attack outside a McDonald’s Read more
A thousand roses, boxes of chocolates, diamond necklaces, expensive shoes and cars. These are just some of the many ways men have tried to earn their spouses’ forgiveness after having cheated on them. Meet Ivan Lewis, the cheater, and Sonya Gore, the mastermind behind her husband’s unique and very public display of affection. Lewis and Read more
A judge has commended a grieving woman and the man responsible for her partner’s death during an emotional court hearing following a fatal road accident. Donald Stewart Wills, 66, of Morison’s Bush, appeared for sentencing today before Judge Bill Hastings on a charge of careless driving causing the death of Ricki Cobb on the Waiohine Read more