Pope Leo XIV released the first major document of his young pontificate on October 9, in which he called upon all the Christian faithful – especially Catholics – to “make their voices heard,” in decrying the sinful structures that contribute to poverty and make life for the poor even more miserable than it already is.…
The Archdiocese of Seoul announced that it has received authorisation from the Vatican to initiate the beatification cause of the priest who pioneered monastic life in Korea. According to the Vatican news agency Fides, Fr Leo Bang Yu-ryong (1900–1986) will be recognized as a servant of God. With this permission, the archdiocese will be able…
The first cardinal from the southern Philippines has decried what he describes as continued injustice against Muslim Filipinos who dominate part of Mindanao, which, for decades, has been stricken by poverty and war. Mindanao is home to an autonomous Muslim region, the Bangsamoro, where Muslims comprise around 91% of the population. “These injustices are not…
After Donald Trump’s praise in Israel, theologians warn against mythologising the US president. The comparison with Cyrus the Great after the hostage release is theologically and politically questionable. Biblical scholars have criticised religious praise of US President Donald Trump in Israel. Irmtraud Fischer, Professor of the Old Testament in Graz, told the Catholic News Agency…
Church blessings for queer and remarried couples: in the Catholic diocese of Aachen, this will be officially possible in future. There had recently been discussions about the corresponding guidelines. The diocese of Aachen is now offering blessings for couples regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Bishop Helmut Dieser explained the handout of…
It is one of the most valuable libraries in the world – and open to scholars: Not only Christian researchers are welcome in the Vatican Library. Muslims can find “incredibly old Korans” here, says its deputy director. Even in the most important library in Christendom, Muslims do not have to give up their prayers. “Of…
Pope Leo XIV waded into a leadership controversy in the US on September 30, mere hours before the dispute became largely academic. Speaking with journalists as he was departing the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo took a question from an EWTN reporter regarding a decision by Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago to…
Pia Matthews, senior lecturer in health care ethics at St Mary’s University, London, told CNA on October 1 that if assisted dying is legalised in the UK this November, “there is real risk that funding to a hospice will depend on whether the hospice engages in the practice of facilitating assisted deaths, and this will…
The Congolese ex-president Kabila has gone into hiding and is now facing the death penalty. For the African country’s Catholic bishops, the judgement is a serious mistake that even violates the constitution. The Catholic bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have strongly condemned the death sentence against former President Joseph Kabila. “The death penalty…
Solidarity from Germany: three elderly nuns occupying their former convent in Goldenstein have been given a new stairlift – donated by a company from northern Hesse. The installation is celebrated on Instagram. The solidarity with three elderly nuns from Austria shows no sign of abating. On Thursday, a German company installed a new stair lift…