Pope Francis announced that he was “postponing the usual catechesis,” given every Wednesday, to renew his plea in favour of welcoming migrants, “who – even at this moment – are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and safety,” he said. This new appeal, made August 28 in Read more
World
Rome races against time to finish projects for Jubilee 2025
Monday, September 2nd, 2024Construction sites in Rome are operating around the clock as the Italian capital races to complete dozens of infrastructure projects ahead of the Vatican’s Jubilee Year 2025. One of the biggest Jubilee projects underway in the city is the pedestrianisation of Piazza Pia, which will link Castel S Angelo to Via della Conciliazione and St Read more
Ukraine Nuncio urges Catholic aid after prisoner ‘horror stories’
Thursday, August 29th, 2024
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, has urged for increased Catholic aid to support prisoners of war and civilians freed from Russian captivity, following reports of “horror stories” from those released. The archbishop wants more international support in areas where the Ukrainian government struggles to provide adequate resources. Archbishop Kulbokas highlighted three critical Read more
Women’s ordination excluded from Synod, debate persists
Thursday, August 29th, 2024
Despite women’s ordination being excluded from the agenda of the Synod on Synodality, the topic remains a significant point of discussion within the Church. According to Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the General Relator of the Synod, the issue of women’s priestly ordination was not included because it was not universally raised. The Instrumentum laboris published recently Read more
Pope Francis condemns Ukraine’s ban on Russian Orthodox Church
Thursday, August 29th, 2024
Pope Francis has criticised Ukraine for banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) which has historically been tied to Russia. “Let those who want to pray be allowed to pray in what they consider their church” Pope Francis said. None of the warring parties have heeded the Pope’s pleas for the war to cease. Praying is Read more
Latest trend sees young Catholic women wearing veils at Mass
Thursday, August 29th, 2024
Young Catholic women have started wearing veils at Mass – just as their grandmothers did before the Vatican II reforms of the 1960s. Those who attend the Traditional Latin Mass are most likely to have adopted the practice. What’s driving the change? Madeleine Kearns, associate editor at The Free Press and a Catholic, says there Read more
Canada government sued to allow euthanasia for mental illness
Thursday, August 29th, 2024
A Canadian non-profit organisation, Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC), has filed a constitutional challenge against the federal government, seeking to expand the country’s euthanasia programme to include individuals suffering from mental illness. The legal action claims the current exclusion of mental illness from the Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) programme is discriminatory under the Canadian Read more
Expulsion of Sodalicio founder shows limits of canon law
Thursday, August 29th, 2024On 14 August, the news that the founder of the church community, “Sodalitium Christianae Vitae”, had been kicked out by the Vatican made headlines, particularly in the USA and South America. The organisation originates from Peru and has a much stronger presence there than in Europe. With around 20,000 male members who, whether priests or Read more
Half of migrants around the world are Christians
Thursday, August 29th, 2024According to a study by the Pew Research Center (PRC), 47% of migrants around the world are Christians. By examining “adults and children who currently live outside their country of birth” in every country, the American research centre highlights the overrepresentation of Christians among migrants. The study defined “migrants” as those living outside their country Read more
Reagan Foundation set to open Pope and President exhibit
Thursday, August 29th, 2024A new exhibit on the lives of Pope Saint John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan will open in Simi Valley, California, at the end of August. “The Pope and The President: Bringing Hope to the World” is set to open August 31 and run until October 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Read more