California bishops welcome executions pause The Catholic bishops of California welcomed last week’s decision by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a moratorium on executions in the state and a temporary reprieve for all inmates on the state’s death row. “We appreciate this recognition that the state has the adequate means to defend human dignity…
French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon said Pope Francis would not accept his resignation following his conviction for covering up clerical sexual abuse, so he has decided to step aside temporarily for the good of the archdiocese. The cardinal had met Pope Francis on March 18 to hand in his resignation after a French court…
The head of an African youth network urged the world’s religions to embrace the voices of young people, as the leaders explore ways to tackle the current global ecological crisis. Allen Ottaro, founder and executive director of the Catholic Youth Network for Environment Sustainability for Africa, said young people were aware of the current realities…
Junno Arocho Esteves Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels, retired archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, died March 14 at the age of 85. Pope Francis expressed his condolences to Cardinal Danneels’ family, and the Belgian faithful and praised the late prelate’s zeal for the Church, especially during the Synod of Bishops on the family in 2014 and 2015.…
Pope Francis has offered prayers for the 157 people killed in an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash on Sunday last, which included a priest, a religious sister and four staff members with Catholic Relief Services. A telegram from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that “His Holiness Pope Francis offers prayers for the deceased…
The clerical abuse scandals have caused everyone in the Catholic Church “pain and unbearable suffering”, Pope Francis said, but it also is a call to repentance and the renewal of the Church. “Our humble repentance, which remains silent between our tears for the monstrosity of sin and the unfathomable greatness of God’s forgiveness, this, this…
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…
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…
Four British doctors are attempting to take their professional body to the High Court over an assisted suicide survey they believe is illegal. The doctors, two of whom are Catholic, say they believe the Royal College of Physicians has acted “unfairly and unlawfully” by setting a super majority of 60% of votes to retain the…
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…