Where do young Catholics stand? To the right, very right, or very left? It’s a fascinating question. A couple of recent articles in France have contemplated the so-called resurgence of left-wing Catholics, who are identified as young, ecologically sensitive, and – some of them – even very left-wing. They are also distant from their rather Read more
In New Zealand this Friday, young people are taking part in the worldwide college student protest about the slow pace of international action on climate change. The Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, Cardinal John Dew, is supporting their efforts. “We all need to listen to young people about climate change,” he said. Dew acknowledged that opinions Read more
Sister Lorraine Garasu who runs Chabai Nazareth, the only rehabilitation centre in Bougainville, has called on the PNG government to do more to help disadvantaged youth in Bougainville. The centre opens its doors to the ‘Lost Generation’ – people who have lost parents in the Bougainville crisis of the 1990s. She says these people have turned Read more
Two books have recently been published that study the beliefs of the emerging generation. Religious self-identification, it seems has remained very stable, in the United States with 84% calling themselves Christian in 1991, compared to 85% in 2010. But many embrace the title without backing it up in practice. For example, only 45% strongly believe the Read more
On Monday 16 May the Vatican is issuing a new sexual abuse protocol document, giving guidelines for bishops to follow when dealing with cases of sexual abuse of children by priests. The letter comes from the Vatican’s top-ranking Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). CDF head, Cardinal William Levada said the circular would include Read more
A couple of years ago, as his fellow psychologists debated whether narcissism was increasing, Nathan DeWall heard Rivers Cuomo singing to a familiar 19th-century melody. Mr. Cuomo, the lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Weezer, billed the song as “Variations on a Shaker Hymn.” Where 19th-century Shakers had sung ” ‘Tis the gift Read more
The increasing number of sexual abuse cases against children is proving problematic for the Navolau district in Fiji. Sexual abuse against children had increased dramatically in the past two years according to Police spokesman, Seargeant Koro Lesikimacoku, who urged the council members to help the police in fighting this crime. “It’s unfortunate that grandfathers, fathers Read more