Police in India’s Goa state are searching for a right-wing Hindu leader following complaints that he insulted St Francis Xavier, whom Catholics consider the protector of this former Portuguese enclave, where the saint’s mortal remains are kept. Subhash Velingkar, a former state-unit chief of the powerful Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, told a public meeting Read more
News Shorts
International Youth Advisory Body members announced
Thursday, October 10th, 2024The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life announced the appointment of the new members of the International Youth Advisory Body (IYAB). The appointees are 20 young people from different regions around the world and several international movements, associations, and communities. The group will play an important advisory and proactive role, collaborating in synodal style with Read more
Former NZ Nuncio, now Cardinal Angelo Acerbi
Monday, October 7th, 2024
Pope Francis announced on October 6, 2024, that he will create 21 new cardinals on December 8. Of these, 20 will be eligible to vote for a new pope. Angelo Acerbi: The eldest Cardinal-Elect At 99 years old, former Apostolic Nuncio Angelo Acerbi is the only cardinal-elect ineligible to vote in the next conclave. Acerbi Read more
Opus Dei in Argentina denies accusations of human trafficking
Monday, October 7th, 2024The Prelature of Opus Dei in Argentina has “categorically denied the accusations of human trafficking and labour exploitation” made by a group of women. The claim was made public recently due to a requested court inquiry of several priests who served as vicars for Opus Dei in that country between 1991 and 2015. The Argentine Read more
Lack of resources may frustrate new suicide prevention plan
Monday, October 7th, 2024Government agencies have warned a lack of resources will limit what they can do to prevent suicide in the new suicide prevention plan. The Ministry of Health has launched consultation on its new five-year suicide prevention plan. It comes just months after shutting down the Suicide Prevention Office, which was the first action set out Read more
Four asteroids named after prolific Catholic nun astronomers
Monday, October 7th, 2024The Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union announced the names of many new asteroids this summer, and four nuns deserved recognition among the stars. They are Sister Emilia Ponzoni (1883-1950), Sister Regina Colombo (1885-1953), Sister Concetta Finardi (1896-1975), and Sister Luigia Panceri (1893-1982), with the first two announced in the June bulletin and Read more
Migrant workers living in poverty, facing return home
Monday, October 7th, 2024The recruiter offered work, and a chance at a new life. But when the group of Fijians landed in New Zealand, they were sent a casual contract, replacing the permanent contract which had guaranteed 30 hours’ work. The promised work didn’t eventuate, and now the workers, some living in poverty, will have to leave the Read more
Punjab doctors refuse to treat seriously ill elderly because they are Christians
Monday, October 7th, 2024An incident, with dramatic implications, of intolerance on a confessional basis at the Civil Hospital of Sahiwal, in Punjab, once again highlights the discrimination suffered by minorities in Pakistan. Doctors at the hospital, who should be entrusted with the task of saving lives, have been guilty of gross negligence at the clinical level, as well Read more
‘Peace is only possible if it is wanted,’ Cardinal Parolin tells UN assembly
Thursday, October 3rd, 2024Amid ongoing and potentially escalating conflict in both the Middle East and Ukraine, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin cautioned gathered delegates at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York Sept 28 that, “peace is only possible if it is wanted.” While it was earlier rumoured that Pope Francis might Read more
Christian sect has markers of ‘cult’ former member warns
Thursday, October 3rd, 2024An underground sect that the FBI is investigating after it was exposed for historical child sexual abuse has many markers of a high-control group, cult experts say. The Christian sect has no official name or buildings, but is known to outsiders as the Two by Twos or The Truth, and has about 2500 members and Read more