Cologne cardinal warns German Church’s Synodal Path could cause schism Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki warned that the Synodal Path reform project could lead to a “German national church. The worst outcome would be if the Synodal Path leads to a schism…with the universal Church,” Cardinal Woelki told Germany’s Catholic News Agency, KNA. The Catholic…
A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said that China’s interim deal with the Vatican has been “implemented successfully”. He made the remark days before the provisional agreement signed by the Vatican and China on September 22, 2018, is due to expire. “With the concerted efforts from both sides, the interim agreement on the appointment of…
A senior Vatican official arrived in Belarus for talks after the leader of the country’s Catholic Church was barred from returning to his homeland. Belarusian state media reported on September 11 that Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher was in Belarus for four days of diplomatic talks a month after the country’s disputed presidential election triggered widespread protests. The…
Only a small minority of British Catholics said they would not return to worship in church when the coronavirus pandemic is fully over, according to a new survey. Just 4% of people interviewed in the study, conducted between May 19 and July 26, said they would abandon going to church when restrictions are finally lifted.…
When Jimmy Macdonald found himself floundering in the waters of Lake George in New York next to his tipped kayak, he thought he might die. He had been enjoying an August day on the lake with his family, meditating and taking pictures. He kept his lifejacket in the boat – he didn’t think he would…
The Synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has recommended setting up crematoriums in dioceses amid the worsening Covid-19 pandemic. “Though burying the dead bodies is the practice in the Church, the (Eastern-rite) canon law permits cremation in times of pandemic,” said a statement from Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of the Church.…
The fight against poverty and social inequalities, as well as harsh criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic dictated this year’s Cry of the Excluded protests. Despite the ongoing pandemic, several cities had live demonstrations to mark the annual event, sponsored by the Brazilian bishops’ conference. “We are in difficult times. The…
Two missionary sisters captured by rebels in northern Mozambique were released unharmed after 24 days, according to their congregation, the Sisters of St Joseph of Chambery. Sr Maria Inez Leite Ramos and Sr Eliane Costa Santana, both originally from Brazil, were reported missing on August 11 after rebels claiming to belong to the Islamic State…
The Vatican has named a church in Kazakhstan as the first minor basilica in Central Asia. The Minor Basilica of St Joseph in Karaganda was built at the request of persecuted Catholics who had been exiled to the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic by the Soviet Union. “Our beautiful church was built 40 years ago. At…
The legislature of the Australian state of Queensland has passed a law requiring priests to violate the seal of confession to report known or suspected child sex abuse. Failure to do so can be punished with three years in prison. Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane has said such a reporting requirement would “not make a…