The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has disclosed that hospital staff pressured his wife Caroline to consider aborting their disabled daughter during pregnancy. Speaking at the General Synod in York, Welby explained that his daughter Ellie had dyspraxia; a condition affecting movement and coordination. Hospital staff suggested abortion if a disability test returned positive results, Read more
The Vatican’s chief prosecutor is staunchly definding the integrity of the Holy See’s legal system. The move comes following accusations that Pope Francis’ absolute power undermines defendants’ rights. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi’s defence comes as the Vatican tribunal finalises its written reasons for its December 2023 verdicts in the so-called “trial of the century”. The tribunal Read more
Mel Gibson, the controversial actor and director, is publicly spporting excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. Gibson wrote a letter addressed to Viganò on the blog of traditionalist publicist Aldo Maria Valli. In his letter Gibson referred to Pope Francis by his birth name, Jorge Bergoglio, and commended Viganò as a “courageous hero”. “I’m sure you Read more
The Vatican doctrine office is preparing a document on the subject of women in leadership roles in the Catholic Church. The initiative seeks to respond to women’s longstanding demands to have a greater say in Church life. Church reform The Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith says the new document will form its contribution Read more
The recent recovery of an icon depicting Jesus as an Apache Christ, alongside another image of Apache spirit dancers, has left the New Mexico mission community with many questions. The motives behind the theft from the church remain unclear, sparking intense speculation and concern among the mission’s congregation and the wider community. The US bishops Read more
DoorDash, known for its food delivery service, has recently marked a milestone for a less visible aspect of its business: supporting faith-based groups and other nonprofits as they aid people facing hunger and poverty. In June, DoorDash announced it delivered more than 100 million charity meals via its Project DASH, often involving drivers delivering 20 Read more
Five Catholics and six Protestants who were jailed in Vietnam for a range of offences related to “religious activities” dating back to 2011 have gone missing, highlighting a larger problem within the communist country’s judicial system, the International Christian Concern (ICC) has said. It said nine of the Christians had been jailed for “undermining national Read more
The Vatican has prohibited the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Covadonga. This rite customarily takes place after the annual Our Lady of Christendom pilgrimage in Spain. The organizers of the fourth edition of the pilgrimage announced the prohibition in a July 6 post on X: “At the Read more
In the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia, a record 15,000 people filled the streets during the annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic procession, which has doubled in size over the last few years. “I can see the spirit at work in the people in their response at a parish level. They are very keen to lift up the Read more
The Vatican has strongly criticised the application of the “just war” theory to justify modern conflicts, particularly in Gaza. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Holy Land recently issued a document condemning the misuse of this concept which is deeply rooted in Catholic doctrine. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin echoed these concerns, Read more