ROME – When most people think of Rome they picture the majestic Colosseum or the countless churches and basilicas sprawled across the city, but deep underground there is another Eternal City that tells the tale of the first pioneers of the Christian faith. The Catacombs of Domitilla, a vast web of tunnels and tombs used Read more
Although a minority religion in 90-percent Catholic Italy, Morman worshippers are comfortable about practising their faith and report no hostility or prejudice to their form of worship. The Mormans are presently planning to build a new visitor centre within a stone’s throw of the Vatican. They aim to attract converts to their faith. The visitor Read more
When it comes to theology, the Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches are very close. We accept the same Nicene Creed, we recognize each other’s priestly and episcopal ordinations, as well as the sacraments of baptism, confession and Eucharist. Catholic and Orthodox teaching on morals are also quite compatible, with both being more conservative than Read more
A set of 1,600-year-old frescoes in Rome’s catacombs have been exposed using modern technology. Experts used the latest laser technology to uncover the centuries of grime smudging multi-coloured frescoes that adorn the ceilings of two crypts built for Roman grain merchants. Read more
Some self-declared Catholic traditionalists have been complaining bitterly that there is much confusion and division within the Catholic Church. They blame it all on Pope Francis and especially on the challenging program he has launched for ecclesial renewal and reform. In doing so, they are de facto opposing the pope—especially his more merciful and pastoral Read more
The Sisters of Mercy in the United States are among religious orders being asked to come to Rome for further conversation. This follows an apostolic visitation of women’s religious orders in the US several years ago. The Sisters of Mercy’s US communications director confirmed the request to visit Rome, but said there would be no further Read more
The Vatican has asked the superiors of 15 US orders of Catholic sisters to come to Rome to discuss concerns and provide clarifications. This comes after the 2014 final report on a Vatican apostolic visitation of US orders of religious women. Last week, it was reported that the superior of the Sisters of Loretto had Read more
Some A$110,000 has been raised to send child sexual abuse survivors to Rome to witness Cardinal George Pell’s latest royal commission testimony. Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has agreed to let Cardinal Pell testify through a video link. This was after it accepted the cardinal’s health meant he could not Read more
The heads of four Franciscan communities have announced plans to establish a Pontifical Franciscan University in Rome by 2018. This was announced by the Ministers General of the First Order in a letter dated November 29. “As an expression of the academic unity of the Franciscan family, this project will be committed to an emphasis Read more
In the last quarter century, since the fall of the Berlin Wall redrew the map of the world, the Holy See was the only global institution that firmly and clearly opposed the so-called clash of civilisations. Many in the West and the Middle East sought this clash of civilisations due to economic, territorial and political Read more