Category: World Report

Internet access causing ‘digital divide’ in Pakistan

Catholics in Pakistan have joined internet rights groups in warning the country’s government that a digital divide will widen inequalities amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. In a statement, the Digital Rights Foundation and Bolo Bhi, an organisation engaged in advocacy, policy and research in digital rights, said those most vulnerable to economic and social upheaval…

China keeps religious places shut fearing virus relapse

China continues to place restrictions on religious sites in Hubei despite easing curbs on the province where the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak started. Authorities lifted curbs on the region at the end of March, with its capital Wuhan, the original epicenter of the virus, being eased on April 8. However, the Chinese government has not permitted…

Vatican Roundup

Pope
 asks 
faithful 
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follow
 Mother 
Teresa’s 
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in 
crisis Mother Teresa’s example should inspire us to seek out those whose suffering is hidden during the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis, according to Pope Francis. At the start of his daily Mass, the Pope said he had seen a photo in a newspaper of homeless people sleeping…

In Brief

Pope appoints new archbishop in South Africa Pope Francis has appointed a new archbishop for Bloemfontein in South Africa after the post became vacant. Dehonian Bishop Zolile Peter Mpambani, 63, of Kokstad was transferred to the Free State province as the region’s archbishop. The appointment, made last week, came after the Holy Father accepted the…

New Vatican yearbook downplays official Papal titles

From the moment he was introduced to the world after his election, Pope Francis has emphasised his identity primarily as ‘Bishop of Rome.’ The 2020 Annuario Pontificio, the official Vatican yearbook, has now made the same emphasis typographically by listing other descriptions of the papal office as “historic titles.” Like the 2019 edition, there is a page that says simply,…

Catholic numbers are increasing worldwide, says research data

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…

South Africa Bishop seeks to find the root cause of femicide

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…

Indian Church group feeds destitute during lockdown

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…