Sex is reserved for married heterosexual couples, new pastoral guidance from the Church of England has affirmed. The new guidance also draws a clear distinction between marriage and civil partnerships, noting that sexual relations are not proper to the latter. The guidance, ‘Civil Partnerships – for same sex and opposite sex couples: A pastoral statement…
Representatives of the US bishops expressed sorrow after three US fire-fighters died in an air crash while fighting bushfires in Australia. “As the people of Australia continue to endure terrible fires, let us renew our prayer and generosity. Today, the suffering was brought even closer to home with the loss of three brave American crew…
The Middle East Council of Churches has called for prayer and peace-building initiatives amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the Arab world. The council’s executive committee, concluding a two-day meeting in Cyprus last week, said its gathering occurred “in the midst of the bloody and painful events that beset our countries”. In their…
Francis recognises new martyrs of the 20th Century Pope Francis has recognised the martyrdom of six religious priests and brothers and seven laypeople who were killed in the 20th Century “in hatred of the faith”, clearing the way for their beatification. Among the soon-to-be blesseds are three Spanish priests of the Missionaries of the Sacred…
French protesters march against controversial bioethics bill Debate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate last week after tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Paris to protest state funding for medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples and single women. “A child is a gift to be received, not an…
A Nigerian seminarian who was abducted this month was freed by his kidnappers after 10 days in captivity. Three seminarians kidnapped with him remain in captivity. The freed seminarian, who has not yet been identified, is being treated at a Catholic hospital in Kaduna, Nigeria. The extent of his injuries is unclear, but he is…
Brazil’s government has drawn criticism after launching a project that aims to revamp the country’s arts scene, with a focus on nationalism and religion. The project is part of the far-right administration’s answer to what it sees as decades of leftist hegemony in the cultural sphere – from art to education and family. Though cash-strapped,…
A Dutch Catholic newspaper warned churches will continue to close in the Netherlands, where half of all Catholic parishes have already been dissolved amid plummeting church participation. “It’s never good to panic, but there are grave concerns about the way things are going here,” said Peter Doorakkers, an editor at the Katholiek Nieuwsblad weekly. “It’s…
Christian persecution around the world is a growing problem, says a new report from an agency that documents abuses against Christians across the globe. Worldwide, the report states, 260 million Christians are facing persecution. This marks a 6% increase from the previous year. The annual report from Open Doors, released on January 15, ranked North Korea first…
Chinese officials have evicted members of the clergy, including a bishop, from their homes and are closing Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Fujian. While the officials cited “fire safety standards” as the reason for the evictions, all the clergy and churches affected have refused to join the Communist-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. The CPCA,…