As India continues to experience violent protests against a controversial citizenship law, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai has said citizenship should never be based on a person’s religion. “The ongoing controversy and demonstrations and counterdemonstrations concerning the Citizenship Amendment Act (are) a cause of great anxiety for all citizens and could harm the country,” Cardinal…
Pope Francis prays for Philippine typhoon victims Reciting the Angelus with thousands of people in St Peter’s Square the day after Christmas, Pope Francis asked them to join him in reciting the Hail Mary for the victims of Typhoon Phanfone in the Philippines. The Pope told the crowd that he shared the suffering of the…
Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a Church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse. “The person who files the report, the person who alleges to have been harmed and the witnesses shall…
A new analysis from the Pew Research Centre shows that many Catholic priests are holding to Pope Francis’ advice to keep their homilies on the shorter side, especially compared to Protestant denominations. An analysis of nearly 50,000 sermons, given across a variety of Christian denominations during the months of April and May this year, found…
The administration of Argentine president Alberto Fernández, who took office last week, has updated the country’s abortion protocol to guarantee access to abortion to women who have been raped. Argentinian law allows abortion in cases when the mother’s life or health is in danger, or in cases of rape. However pro-choice activists maintain that it…
French nuncio steps down amid misconduct allegation Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the nuncio to France, who has been under investigation for sexual misconduct in France and in Canada. Announcing the archbishop’s retirement on December 17, the Vatican provided no reason why he stepped down. A statement released by the…
The Christmas season is a time to reflect on what life is all about, Pope Francis has told an international group of performers. “The time before Christmas calls us to ask ourselves, ‘What is it that I am waiting for in my life? What is the great desire of my heart?’ You too, with your…
The latest episode of Brazil’s comedy group Porta dos Fundos on Netflix has angered thousands of Brazilians from different religions. The group’s Christmas special, A Primeira Tentacao de Cristo (‘The First Temptation of Christ’) is a satire about a gay Jesus bringing his boyfriend home to meet Mary and Joseph. Reaction to the 40-minute show…
The Australian government has released its second “exposure draft” of its religious discrimination legislation, winning widespread praise from faith groups, including the Catholic bishops, following changes to the original legislation released in October. The bishops’ main criticism was the proposed laws did not extend to cover health and eldercare workers; the Catholic Church runs about…
A British bishop said he was relieved by the election defeat of political parties committed to liberalising Britain’s abortion laws, but he was “not particularly enthused” by the Conservative Party agenda. In the December 12 general election, the Conservatives of Prime Minister Boris Johnson gained 47 seats, the largest increase for his party since Margaret…
