Catholic universities need to study the root causes of forced migration and ways to counter the discrimination and xenophobic reactions it provokes in so many traditionally Christian nations, Pope Francis said. “I would also like to invite Catholic universities to teach their students, some of whom will become leaders in politics, business and culture, a…

The threat of violent extremism remains in the predominantly Catholic Philippines even after the end of a five-month siege by terrorists in a southern city, said Catholic and Muslim officials. Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Philippines bishops’ Public Affairs Committee said that according to some analysts and the president, “terrorist cells are already…

The Polish Prime Minister has pledged to save a cross set to be removed from beside a statue of former Pope John Paul II in a French town because it breached the rules of secularism. This has sparked a diplomatic feud as Poland says it will save the work from the “dictates of social correctness”…

In Brief The Cursillo movement recently celebrated the golden jubilee of its presence in South Korea with local members affirming their dedication to renewing the church and spreading Christian values. Some 4,700 ‘Cursillistas’ attended a Ultreya gathering at a gymnasium in Seoul’s Olympic Park where the jubilee was celebrated. The event was organised by the Seoul…

In Brief Religious and ethnic minorities who were victims of atrocities committed by Daesh (so-called Islamic State) need to be supported in rebuilding their lives, the representative of the Holy See to the UN said. Speaking at the conference on ‘Peace, Reconciliation and Justice: The Future of Religious and Ethnic Minorities Victimised by Daesh’ on…

In Brief The visit by Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Rakhine State failed to stem anger and frustration felt in the strife-torn state or in neighbouring Bangladesh, where more than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to over the past ten weeks. During her one-day visit, Suu Kyi met both Rohingya and Rakhine villagers,…

Vatican Pope Francis celebrated the Feast of All Souls Day by commemorating all those who have died in war, reminding humanity not to forget past lessons and warning that the only fruit yielded by conflict is death. His words of warning and his powerful condemnation of warmongers came during his homily at the Sicily-Rome American War Cemetery some 50 kilometers…

In Brief The people of Puerto Rico still face “an unprecedented level of need” because of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which devastated the island in September, the chairmen of two US bishops’ committees said. Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, and Archbishop Paul Etienne of Anchorage, Alaska called for “meaningful action” through legislative means and emergency…

After publication of his letter to Pope Francis questioning the Pontiff’s teachings, Father Thomas Weinandy has resigned from his position as consultant to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine. The Capuchin Franciscan priest is former executive director of the US bishops’ Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs, serving in the post from…

In Brief Pope Francis appeared to side with his predecessor Benedict XVI by saying Christ died “for many”, rather than “for all”. It has been a contentious debate in Catholicism in recent years. “The ‘many’ who will rise for eternal life are to be understood as the ‘many’ for whom the blood of Christ was…