Australia’s financial crime watchdog said Thursday that it is conducting a “detailed review” of Vatican-linked transfers worth $2.3 billion Australian dollars (€1.5 billion). The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), a government agency, said January 7 that it was seeking to shed light on the mystery transfers in cooperation with the Vatican. “AUSTRAC…
Category: World Report
Births of babies with Down syndrome in Europe fall sharply amid increased prenatal testing
The number of babies with Down syndrome who were born in Europe fell by half between 2011 and 2015 – confirming the fears of pro-life campaigners in the UK, who have long argued that increased prenatal testing for Down syndrome has led many women to abort their children. Down syndrome A study published during December…
Covid-19 claims lives of over 200 priests in Italy since start of pandemic
Of the more than 76,000 people known to have died of Covid-19 in Italy the past 11 months, more than 200 were priests, according to the Catholic newspaper, Avvenire. Already four priests have died since the start of 2021, the newspaper said January 6, adding that the cumulative toll amounts to about one death every…
Danish proposal on translating sermons gets pushback from bishops
A spokeswoman for Denmark’s Catholic Church said draft legislation requiring all sermons and homilies to be translated into Danish will fuel ill-feeling and damage religious freedom. “This law is directed primarily at Muslims – its proponents say they want to prevent parallel societies and things being preached which no one else understands and could be…
Chicago Fr Pfleger steps aside over allegation of abuse more than 40 years ago
Fr Michael Pfleger, a popular Chicago priest and outspoken advocate against gun violence, gangs, poverty and racism, has stepped aside from his ministry after the Chicago Archdiocese said it received an allegation that the priest had sexually abused a minor more than 40 years ago. Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich announced the move in a…
Vatican Roundup
Catholics and Lutherans reaffirm commitment to communion The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation underscored their commitment to walk together on their common journey from conflict to communion. The Council and Federation recently announced the publication of the updated Italian translation of the historic ecumenical document called the Joint Declaration…
In Brief
Sainthood cause of priest imprisoned by Nazis and communists advances The sainthood cause of a Catholic priest who was imprisoned by both the Nazis and the communists has advanced with the conclusion of the initial diocesan phase of the cause January 4. Fr Adolf Kajpr was a Jesuit priest and journalist who was imprisoned in…
Argentina legalises abortion during first 14 weeks of pregnancy
Argentina has legalised abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, despite strong Catholic opposition and polls showing deep divisions on the issue. Decision The Senate approved the bill 38-29 December 30 after a 12-hour debate as supporters with green handkerchiefs and opponents with blue handkerchiefs awaited the decision in the streets during the small…
Twenty Catholic missionaries killed worldwide in 2020
Twenty Catholic missionaries were killed across the world in 2020, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies has said. Agenzia Fides reported December 30 that those who lost their lives in service of the Church comprised eight priests, three religious women, one male religious, two seminarians, and six lay people. Previous years As in previous…
White House proclamation honours St Thomas Becket’s martyrdom
The White House issued a proclamation honouring the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Thomas Becket and inviting “the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches and customary places of meeting with appropriate ceremonies.” The proclamation, signed by President Donald Trump December 28, described Becket as “a statesman,…