Nearly three quarters of Catholics in the US are not opposed to couples cohabiting before marriage, despite the Church’s moral teaching. A new survey by the Pew Research Centre reports that Americans as a whole are very accepting of unmarried couples living together, even if they have no plans to marry. Additionally, Pew found that…
One of Brazil’s most traditional samba schools – the popular associations that organise annual Carnival parades in the country – announced that the theme of its 2020 performance would be the story of Jesus taken to a Rio de Janeiro slum. Estacao Primeira de Mangueira also announced its performance song, which alludes to the increasing…
Catholic bishops from the European Union marked 30 years since the breaching of the Berlin Wall with tributes to those who worked for peaceful change, as well as warnings against resurgent “ideologies behind the building of walls”. “The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of the most important events in European history of the…
A bishop in southern India has dismissed allegations of being a womaniser and fathering two children; he says the claims are a retaliatory response from priests opposed to his administrative reforms. Ucanews.org reports that Bishop Kinnikadass William of Mysore told a news conference: “There is no truth in the allegations. A group (of priests) are…
Be courageous in ministry, Pope tells bishops Bishops from New England have shared with Pope Francis some of the joys, challenges and sufferings of the Church in the US. Nearing the end of their ad limina visits to the Vatican to pray at the tombs of the apostles and report on the status of their…
Religious urge governor to stop execution of inmate Sr Helen Prejean, Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, Texas, and the Catholic Mobilising Network have been joined by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna, Meek Mill and Kim Kardashian West in urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to stop the scheduled November 20 execution of death-row inmate Rodney…
A cathedral in south-western France was robbed of chalices and other religious items after a gang rammed open the door of the church early Monday morning. At approximately 2 am, a car outfitted with a battering ram was driven into the door of Cathedral Sainte-Marie d’Oloron, breaking it open. The cathedral is in the French…
Catholic bishops have appealed for prayers and aid for earthquake victims after two strong earthquakes hit the Philippines last month, causing some deaths and damage. “Please, again, let us show our spirit of charity and solidarity,” Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, who is president of the Catholic bishops’ conference of the Philippines, said. An earthquake…
Lebanon’s Maronite bishops, commending the unity of the Lebanese people amid a peaceful mass uprising demanding a new government, called for a “constructive spirit” following the resignation of the country’s prime minister. “The Lord is leading the ship of the homeland and we hope that this step will be the beginning of the solution,” Cardinal…
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York has responded to questions about the denial of Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden in October. In an interview with Fox News, Cardinal Dolan said that he thought the incident was a good teaching moment about the Eucharist and the seriousness of denying Church…