58-year-old archbishop appointed in Uganda Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara, was appointed by Pope Francis as the new Archbishop of Mbarara last week. Archbishop Bainomugisha takes over from Most. Rev. Paul K. Bakyenga, who retired after 22 years in the role having reached the canonical retirement age of 75. His 58-year-old…
Category: World Report
Few sermons mention abortion in US Christianity research finds
The percentage of sermons about abortion is in the single digits, according to a Pew Research Centre study, the results of which were released yesterday, April 29. Even a mention of abortion in a sermon is rare, according to the study. Pew analysed nearly 50,000 sermons shared online or livestreamed by more than 6,000 US…
Catholics in India preach to tribal villages about Covid-19
Catholic missionaries in India are trekking long distances to create awareness about the Covid-19 pandemic among tribal people in inaccessible villages of Madhya Pradesh. Some 150 volunteers, including 45 priests, in Jabalpur Diocese are on this particular mission visiting Gond and Baiga tribal communities, who have not even heard of the disease, to teach them…
China starts new wave of cross removals after Covid-19
China has begun another wave of cross removals from church buildings as the coronavirus pandemic subsides on the mainland. The removals began over the past fortnight as government officials became relatively free from the pressure of fighting the pandemic, according to Christian leaders in the country. Authorities have removed crosses from Our Lady of the…
Increase in young people’s Faith during pandemic
A third of US young adults who responded to a recent survey have reported an increase in their Religious Faith during the coronavirus. In addition, nearly half (47%) of those reported that their level of Faith has remained the same during the crisis. Seven out of 10 respondents who watched an online service say that…
Indonesian Catholics start social movement for virus-hit families
An Indonesian Catholic youth organisation has formed a solidarity movement where people are being encouraged to help support families during the coronavirus. The ‘Adopt One Brother’ movement, started by Catholic Youth, has spread to 26 of the country’s 34 provinces, according to Stefanus Asat Gusma, who heads up the group’s Covid-19 task force. He said…
Vatican Roundup
Pope and French President discuss global unity Pope Francis has expressed his closeness and support to France during a telephone conversation with the country’s leader. The President’s office said the Pope and President Emmanuel Macron spoke for about 45 minutes last week by telephone. The Pope positively acknowledged “the constructive responses taken by France at…
In Brief
First state in Germany reopens churches Saxony has become the first state in Germany to allow churches to re-open for public services. The governor of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, announced that from last week onwards churches could hold services albeit “on a small scale”. Mass was duly celebrated in the Catholic Provost Church of the Holy…
Pope Francis: Love the Church, care for society
Ruadhán Jones Pope Francis has asked Christians to join their love for the church with a caring concern for civil society, particularly at this time of the coronavirus pandemic. Marking the feastday of St Catherine of Siena, Pope Francis prayed that people would be inspired by her example and asked for her intercession “to…
Church leaders press Trump to support aid to schools during pandemic
President Donald Trump said he would continue to support issues vital to the Catholic Church, especially abortion, religious freedom and school choice, in a conference call with Catholic leaders and educators. He also said he would seek federal financial support for Catholic schools as they confront the coronavirus pandemic. Many schools across the country have…