Category: World Report

Catholic prelates aghast at ‘unspeakable’ suffering in Syria

Catholic prelates in Syria, accompanied by Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, president of Caritas Internationalis, visited the eastern Ghouta region outside of Damascus and saw “unspeakable suffering”. “In every face, mostly the children” was a “very confused” expression, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan said. The visit was part of the annual session of…

Education of female refugees vital, says new report

A new report released just two days before International Women’s Day has stressed the urgency of making sure refugee girls and young women receive an education. The report, “Her Future: Challenges and Recommendations to Increase Education for Refugee Girls” by Jesuit Refugee Service/USA is based on the observations of JRS workers around the world and…

Vatican Roundup

Ash
 Wednesday
 reminds
 us
 of
 the 
world
 to
 come,
 Francis
 says
 Marked with ashes, Christians set off on a Lenten journey where they strive to leave behind everything that will turn to dust and instead focus on drawing closer to God and the promise of eternal life, Pope Francis has said. In his homily at the Dominican-run Basilica of Santa Sabina last week, the Pope…

Irish cardinal backs opening of Pope Pius XII archives

An Irish cardinal has praised Pope Francis’ recent announcement regarding the opening of the Vatican Secret Archives from the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII. “I am grateful to His Holiness for taking this welcome step and allowing scholars to examine the records of Pope Pius XII’s pontificate during the Second World War,” Cardinal Timothy…

French cardinal convicted of failing to report abuse

French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, archbishop of Lyon, was found guilty today of failing to report to authorities the alleged sexual abuse of a priest in his diocese. He was given a six-month suspended prison sentence. French tribunal president Brigitte Vernay declared Cdl. Barbarin guilty on March 7 “of non-denunciation of ill-treatment” of a minor. Cdl.…

Secret wartime documents of Pope Pius XII to be opened

Declaring that the Catholic Church is unafraid of history, Pope Francis announced that documents in the Vatican Secret Archives relating to the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII will be open to scholars in 2020. Researchers, particularly those interested in Catholic-Jewish relations, have pressed the Vatican to open the archives and allow a full study…