The number of Catholics are increasing worldwide as well as permanent bishops and deacons, but priests, seminarians and religious figures are decreasing, according to recent statistics. These findings were released by the Churches’ Central Statistics Office, which drafts the Pontifical Yearbook 2020 and the Annuarium Statisticum Eccleasiae 2018, last week. Between the years 2013 and 2018, there…
A bishop in South Africa has highlighted the need to identify the root cause of violence against women in order to overcome the societal challenge facing the country. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, was speaking last week about the alarming rates of gender-based killings targeting women and…
A Catholic media group in India has initiated a campaign to feed the poor as a government-imposed lockdown has forced hundreds living on the streets to go hungry. The ‘feed a stomach’ campaign, which was started by internet telecast Atmadarshan (soul light) TV based in Indore city, was launched to provide food to the homeless…
ALONE’s Covid-19 helpline for older people received over 1,100 on Saturday calls following the introduction of the cocooning measures. Seán Moynihan, ALONE CEO said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us but particularly older people and especially those who live alone,” The charity commended the practical support being offered by Local Authorities.…
The Pro Life Campaign in Ireland has launched an outreach initiative to support older members of the community this week. The Outreach project, unveiled on March 31, calls on volunteers to participate and help those feeling isolated and alone during the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. “Given the limitations to the work that can be done in…
Bishops in the Philippines have joined civil authorities in inviting the faithful to pray for doctors and health workers who are “on the frontline” fighting against the coronavirus (Covid-19). President Rodrigo Duterte declared the fourth week of March ‘National Prayer Week’ to spiritually unite Filipinos of all faiths and religions amid the threat of Covid-19.…
Indonesia Holy Week celebrations go online due to coronavirus Several dioceses in Indonesia are to hold Holy Week celebrations in churches without congregations as coronavirus (Covid-19) cases continue to rise in the country. The celebrations of Holy Week, daily Masses and Sunday Masses will now be live-streamed online or broadcast on radio instead. The Jakarta…
Easter liturgies cannot be postponed, says the Vatican The liturgies of Holy Week and Easter cannot be moved, according to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. While conferences and meetings can be postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the congregation said these liturgies could not be cancelled in guidelines issued last week.…
Independent Senator Rónán Mullen has been successfully re-elected to the Seanad, topping the poll in the National University of Ireland panel. Mr Mullen – a fearless defender of the unborn in the Oireachtas – was deemed to be elected on the first count having secured the largest number of first preference votes. He won 9,642…
With self-isolation becoming more widespread due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis thanked journalists and members of the media who inform people and help them cope with loneliness. “Today, I would like us to pray for all those who work in the media, who work to communicate so that people don’t find themselves so isolated,…
Michael Kelly