As Perseverance, the latest probe on Mars, gears up to send to Earth high-definition images, video and audio of its surroundings, one papal astronomer said he hoped the fresh new discoveries will inspire future explorers. With advanced degrees in physics, philosophy and theology, Jesuit Br. Robert Macke said, “What really inspired me to come into Read more
As USA’s first human-composting funeral home is now operational in the state of Washington. Death care specialists say this new and environmentally friendly procedure is crucial as mortuaries fill up and people seek more sustainable practices. And in California, where the massive number of COVID-19 deaths has inundated funeral homes and even led to Los Read more
A euthanasia advocate who failed to disclose three overseas murder convictions has been censured and had his registration cancelled. Sean Davison applied to the Medical Sciences Council for registration as a medical laboratory scientist in 2017. As part of the application, he admitted to a conviction relating to the attempted suicide of his terminally ill Read more
In a statement released on Thursday, the South African Bishops conference praised president Cyril Ramaphosa’s clarification of his herd immunity policy on 1st February. The president said that herd immunity would be achieved once “67% of our people” are immune. Saying that none are safe until all are safe, he stated that “we aim to Read more
Wellingtonians want action on the city’s housing crisis, but residents are very much divided into two camps over intensification. The city council has received almost 3000 submissions from individuals and organisations on Wellington’s draft spatial plan, which outlines how up to 80,000 more people will be accommodated in the next 30 years. The spatial plan Read more
Bishops of England and Wales have welcomed a new National Health Service (NHS) campaign aimed at encouraging people to talk to their families and loved ones about their organ donation decisions. The ‘Leave Them Certain’ campaign has been launched by the NHS Blood and Transplant following a law change that has introduced an opt-out or Read more
With clergy abuse lawsuits seemingly on the rise across the United States, new reporting uncovers a growing number of priests who are fighting back against their accusers by suing them, investigators, and even other church officials, reports Deena Yellin, as republished by USA Today. The list includes the Reverend Roy Herberger of the Catholic Diocese Read more
A French nun who has become the first woman to hold a voting position at the Vatican said Wednesday that her appointment is evidence the “patriarchal mindset is changing” as more and more women assume high-level decision-making responsibilities in the Catholic hierarchy. Sister Nathalie Becquart said during a news conference that her appointment as an Read more
A new sound system and improved heating are among early features of a planned multimillion-dollar revamp of St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin, after last year’s damaging fire. Cathedral dean the Very Rev Dr Tony Curtis said the improved $50,000 sound system had been largely installed and it was hoped to complete repairs of the fire-damaged roof Read more
The names of Winston Churchill and JK Rowling will be removed from houses at a secondary school after their views were branded “intolerant” by teenage students. Pupils at Seaford Head School in East Sussex stated that the wartime Prime Minister was responsible for “torturing many”, while the Harry Potter author was not “suitable” due to Read more