Catholic leaders in Africa have called for the removal of the unpayable debts, saying that the burdens were sinking their countries further into poverty. They said the continent was struggling with an unprecedented confluence of crises and urged international leaders to prioritise actions that enable Africa’s recovery. The faith leaders wrote an open letter to…
The Pope’s climate leadership provides inspiration both on- and off-screen, writes Carol Glatz Highlighting the Church’s approach of coupling the power of prayer with active and committed care for the earth, the Vatican wrapped up the monthlong Season of Creation October 4 with the launch of new initiatives. The feast day of St Francis of…
Dear Editor, The ongoing three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act, is most lamentable. There is a complete absence of media scrutiny. Similarly, there is no avenue to include consideration of the views of those horrified by the desperation, cruelty and ultimately the unsustainability of our country, due to our birth-rate having…
Tourist detained after toppling busts at Vatican Museums tourist who toppled two ancient Roman busts in the Vatican Museums has been handed over to Italian police, the Vatican said. The vandalism occurred October 5 when the tourist, identified by several Italian media outlets as an American man, threw down two marble busts from their pedestals…
Fr Bernard Cotter “You’re getting very big in yourself”, said the senior cleric to me, a few years after I was ordained. I had been out in the car, and so had he, and he waved at me and I hadn’t waved back. So he was letting on to be offended: I had a “big…
Russia’s bishops said Catholics face dilemmas responding to a mass call-up for the war in Ukraine, and they urged President Vladimir Putin’s government to recognise conscientious objection. “The confrontation in Ukraine has grown into a full-scale military conflict and already claimed thousands of lives, undermining trust and unity between countries and peoples, and threatening the…
The patriarchs and leaders of Christian Churches in Jerusalem praised Jordan’s King Abdullah II for turning a spotlight on what they say is “the deteriorating situation of Christian basic human rights” in the city and throughout the Holy Land. The king, in his speech to the UN General Assembly September 20, said, “Today, Christianity in…
President Michael D. Higgins has called on the leader of Nicaragua’s authoritarian regime Daniel Ortega to release hundreds of prisoners. The President called on President Ortega, a former friend, to release people “who have a right to participate in debate on the future of their country”. The European Parliament passed a motion last month calling…
After only two days, the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court adjourned the trial of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 90, and four co-defendants, until October 26. The trial began September 26 and had been scheduled for five days, but the magistrate adjourned the trial when defence lawyers attempted to cross-examine police witnesses called by the…
Vatican restricted East Timor archbishop after abuse allegations After a Dutch newspaper published an investigation into abuse allegations against retired Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of Dili, the Vatican said it had become aware of the allegations several years ago and placed restrictions on him. The newspaper De Groene Amsterdammer said it began its investigation…