JFK: Volume 1: 1917-1956 by Frederik Logevall (Viking, £16.99) Felix M. Larkin John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s reputation has held up remarkably well in the 60 years since he was elected president of the United States. In the polls that US historians periodically carry out to rank their presidents, his place has settled just inside the top ten –…
A Pakistani court has ordered the immediate recovery of a teenage Catholic girl who was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married to a 44-year-old Muslim man in the southern city of Karachi in a case which has shocked and angered the country’s beleaguered religious minorities. Sindh High Court on November 2 also ordered that…
A strong majority of New Zealand voters approved the legalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia for the terminally ill on October 30. Foes of legalisation said many voters appeared confused about the measure’s far-reaching effects and warned that the move will have consequences for the vulnerable. The nationwide referendum passed with support from 65% of…
Junno Arocho Esteves Corruption is an “ancient evil” that continues to plague the Catholic Church in different ways, Pope Francis said. In an interview with the Italian news agency Adnkronos, published October 30, the Pope discussed his thoughts on several issues, including the nature of corruption given recent allegations of financial malfeasance involving the Vatican.…
Pope Francis authorises decrees concerning nine causes for sainthood Pope Francis has authorised the promulgation of several decrees regarding nine people who are on the path toward canonisation. The news came following a meeting between the Pope and Cardinal-elect Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Pope recognised three miracles,…
Feature sponsored by Concern Worldwide. Extreme weather destroying crops and food supplies in world’s most vulnerable countries. With climate change related hunger and malnutrition increasing, Pope Francis warned, “We have caused a climate emergency that gravely threatens nature and life itself, including our own.” Worldwide, droughts and floods have more than doubled since the early…
Covid antibodies ‘fall rapidly after infection’ Levels of protective antibodies in people wane “quite rapidly” after coronavirus infection, say researchers. Antibodies are a key part of our immune defences and stop the virus from getting inside the body’s cells. The Imperial College London team found the number of people testing positive for antibodies has fallen…
Black Nazarene procession in Philippines cancelled over coronavirus Due to the coronavirus pandemic, civil and ecclesial authorities in the Philippines have agreed to cancel the Black Nazarene celebration in 2021, which gathers millions of churchgoers in Manila each January. Known as the traslacion, the 19-hour procession through the streets of Manila takes place each year…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Purgatory is not specifically mentioned in the Bible but the doctrine of Purgatory is a beautiful development which holds in unity two ideas that might seem to be contradictory. The doctrine of God’s holiness reminds us of God’s unique otherness, glory and light, far beyond anything we…
Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Bishops have warned that they “won’t be able to bring people with us” unless the Government heeds the calls of the faithful for a return of public worship. All public worship is banned under levels 3 to 5 – as it stands, following the six-week lockdown the country is expected…