Peruvian Cardinal Pedro Barreto believes the Soldalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), a scandal-ridden religious lay group in the country, ought to be dissolved and says the Vatican feels the same way. In a recent interview, Barreto said: “My personal opinion, which I believe is shared by some, is that I insist that this religious organisation should…
A Christian group has hailed the significance of the findings of a United Nations’ special rapporteur’s report on violations of freedom of religion in Sri Lanka. The report, which was recently presented to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), details how Christians and other religious minorities have suffered from extreme violations of freedom of religion…
A recent report showed that trust in the effectiveness of Irish overseas aid has dropped by 4% since 2017, but Matt Moran ex-chairman of Misean Cara feels that the missionary structure could improve this. The 2019 survey by Kantar Survey of Public Attitudes towards Overseas Aid is now in its third year. It is jointly-funded…
Irish charity Alone has called on communities to maintain regular communication with older people in self-isolation during the coronavirus outbreak. Grainne Loughran, Alone Communications Officer, is calling for “community co-operation” when it comes to reaching out to support vulnerable elderly who are on their own. “There has been an increase in the number of calls…
Two Christian groups in California have been ordered to shut down their cost-sharing health plans and cease conducting business by the State’s Department of Insurance. The State issued the Cease and Desist order against Aliera Healthcare, Inc. and Trinity Healthshares, Inc., on the grounds that the two faith-based cost-sharing health ministries are misleading consumers by…
Thousands of Venezuelans including clergy took to the streets in Caracas and other cities to demand democratic change last week, amid on-going economic, political and social crises in the country. “Today [March 10] the Venezuelan people have returned to the streets demanding their rights and manifesting their desire for a change of direction in the…
Cardinal George Pell has had his “leave to appeal” ruling deferred by the Australian High Court last week in what is a final attempt to have his conviction for sexual assault overturned. Pell was sentenced last year to six years in prison for molesting two 13-year-old choirboys in Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, while he was…
Sixteen fragments in the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC are not from the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls but elaborate fakes, it has emerged. Despite the fact that they were purchased for millions of dollars, they have now been exposed as worthless forgeries probably made from old shoe leather. However, the hoaxers did such…
Singapore resumed public Masses and liturgical prayers at the weekend with government-issued directives and precautionary measures being taken. The Archdiocese of Singapore, who had previously suspended all Church programs in February, announced their plan to resume religious services on March 14 and 15 last week. The archdiocese said the resumption of public gatherings for the…
An Irish charity is offering free online meditation classes to “everyone and anyone” after suspending all public classes and scheduled courses due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Sanctuary, based in Dublin city centre, is looking to promote social change over the web having been forced to close its doors last week. “We are offering free…