After 25 years under “Chavismo,” many Venezuelans hoped that the July 28 elections would lead to a decisive defeat of leader Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power for 11 years. However, once more the regime showed it’s not willing to go down and announced shortly after midnight that the president was re-elected. One of Read more
World
Investigation finds at least 973 Native American children died in US government boarding schools
Thursday, August 1st, 2024At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s abusive boarding school system, according to the results of an investigation released Tuesday by Interior Department officials who called on the government to apologize for the schools. The investigation commissioned by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland found marked and unmarked graves at 65 of the Read more
Priest in Austria arrested for producing crystal meth in church rectory
Thursday, August 1st, 2024A Catholic priest in Austria has confessed to producing crystal meth in his parish rectory. The case came to light after authorities arrested the 38-year-old cleric along with a 30-year-old Iraqi citizen from Vienna last week, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner. Both suspects are currently in pretrial detention. The priest, originally from Poland, Read more
Russian Metropolitan Hilarion removed from office
Thursday, August 1st, 2024In a troubling decision that fueled a number of suspicions, Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary was temporarily suspended from the administration of his diocese. The decision was made by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which gathered July 25 in Moscow under the auspices of Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Read more
Last Supper Olympic parody a “Gratuitous insult to Eucharist”
Monday, July 29th, 2024
Catholic leaders have condemned a segment of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony featuring drag queens parodying the Last Supper, labelling it a “gratuitous insult to the Eucharist”. During the Olympic ceremonies, 18 performers re-created the scene, a depiction of Jesus Christ’s final meal with his disciples before his crucifixion. The scene featured some half-naked Read more
Pilgrims angering Santiago de Compostela residents
Monday, July 29th, 2024
The highly popular pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela is struggling with an influx of pilgrims. The influx is sparking concerns among locals about respect and preservation of their community. Roberto Almuina, 73, chairman of the 600-member residents’ association, voices these concerns: “We don’t have the slightest problem sharing our city with visitors. The only Read more
Belgian bishop quits abuse crisis role – workload overwhelming
Monday, July 29th, 2024
Belgian bishop Johan Bonny, the country’s main contact for Church abuse victims, has stepped down from his role, citing an overwhelming workload and health concerns. Bonny’s resignation comes weeks before Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium, potentially overshadowing the event with the ongoing abuse crisis. Bishop Bonny, 69, announced his resignation on 25 July, stating that Read more
Vatican pulls Synodality poll after big negative reaction
Monday, July 29th, 2024
An online poll on synodality attracted thousands of negative responses when it appeared on various social media platforms last week. Those engaging with the survey were asked: “Do you believe that synodality as a path of conversion and reform can enhance the mission and participation of all the baptised?” The users were asked to provide Read more
Vatican-Vietnam diplomatic relations owe much to Nguyen Phu Trong
Monday, July 29th, 2024
Vatican-Vietnam relations are vastly improved because of Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s efforts, says Pope Francis. After learning of the General Secretary’s passing on 22 July, Francis sent condolences to Vietnam’s president and spoke of Trong’s major contribution to the diplomatic process. The Pope’s message expressed his gratitude for Trong’s fostering, promoting and Read more
Suspect arrested in €61 million Caritas fraud investigation
Monday, July 29th, 2024A suspect has been apprehended in an investigation into the misappropriation of €61 million from Luxembourg charity Caritas, the public prosecutor’s office said on Monday. The prosecutor’s office had first announced on Friday that it had launched a probe into the alleged theft from the NGO by a member of staff. A person has since Read more