Pope calls for ‘apostolate of prevention’ against abuse In an unscripted video message that appears to have been recorded on a mobile phone, Pope Francis spoke of the need for an “apostolate of prevention” to protect minors from abuse. “Prevention. Prevention. Because you never know where a child will be abused, where the child will…
New law shortens euthanasia wait time New legislation in Oregon shortens an initial waiting period for some persons seeking assisted suicide, allowing them to receive quicker access to life-ending drugs. Governor Kate Brown signed the bill into law on July 23. It had passed the Senate in May and the House of Representatives in June.…
The search for the remains of missing 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi took another twist as Vatican officials discovered “thousands” of human bones in a previously unknown ossuary over the weekend. It is unclear if any of the bones belong to Orlandi, or how old they are. On July 11, the Vatican opened two tombs belonging to…
The bishop of one of Mexico’s most violent areas has said that the sentencing of drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera to life in prison plus 30 years is proper and prudent. Guzmán, known as ‘El Chapo’, is a former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. He was sentenced on July 17 by a judge in New…
The president of US bishops’ conference issued a statement last week condemning a newly-announced rule on asylum eligibility at the southern border, suggesting that countries like Mexico are not a safe final destination for asylum seekers, and encouraging the Trump administration to change the policy. “The rule adds further barriers to asylum-seekers’ ability to access…
The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need has launched a new fundraising campaign to aid Syrian Christians, whose lives continue to be devastated by violence and poverty. “The war in Syria has still not ended, terrorism has yet to be defeated and our brothers have more need of our aid than ever,” said…
Church representatives in Congo have urged international action to contain Ebola, after an epidemic in the country’s eastern provinces was declared an emergency by the World Health Organisation. “The Congolese people have suffered so many troubles in recent years – Ebola is only the latest,” said Msgr Andre Massinganda, deputy secretary-general of the Congolese bishops’…
New Vatican press office director appointed Pope Francis has appointed Matteo Bruni to serve as director of the Vatican press office, replacing Alessandro Gisotti, who had been serving as interim director since December 31, 2018. The Vatican announced the appointment last week. Bruni (42), previously served as assistant to the director since 2013, helping organise and coordinate media presence and…
Notre-Dame not yet safe to restore – architect l A French architect says that Notre Dame Cathedral still isn’t safe enough for restoration work to begin, more than three months after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the monument. French television showed the chief architect of France’s historic monuments, Philippe Villeneuve, taking Culture Minister Franck Riester…
The High Court has agreed to hear in September a bid from the parents of Tafida Raqeeb to take her to Italy for treatment. The five-year-old girl has been comatose since February, and UK doctors want to remove her life-sustaining treatment. The UK doctors have barred Raqeeb’s parents from taking her abroad for treatment. Two…