The US bishops have voted to revise what the US Church teaches its adult members about the death penalty in a passage on the issue in the US Catechism for Adults. The full body of bishops approved the revised passage by a vote of 194 to 8 with three abstentions. It now will need the…

Launching the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Diocese of Keta-Akatsi, Bishop Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante of Jasikan said he was worried how charismatic and Pentecostal movements are affecting Catholics in Ghana. “For Catholics who remain Catholics and yet keep running after Jesus, from one to another crusade or fellowship or prayer camp, I am afraid…

A prominent African cardinal has called for restraint in Sudan, as the ruling junta cracks down on peaceful protesters in the capital city, Khartoum. Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria, said African religious leaders rejected the brutal response to the protests. He said the use of live ammunition, attacks on medical centres and arrests…

The Mexican bishops’ conference has expressed its concern about the immigration and tariffs agreement reached between the governments of the US and Mexico. Mexico has agreed to take measures to reduce the number of migrants to the US, in order to avoid tariffs being imposed. Some 6,000 National Guard troops will be assigned to Mexico’s…

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   Pope Francis has challenged Catholics to be a source of hope for those in poverty, especially in the face of divisions in wealth and a throw-away culture. Last week the Pontiff released his message for the third annual World Day of the Poor, which will take…

Cardinal calls for peace and combatting anti-Semitism Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel last week by calling for a shared commitment to religious freedom and combatting anti-Semitism. “The peace process and the future of the region are in the heart of…

Pope Benedict XVI is not dead and did not recently suffer a stroke, the Vatican confirmed yesterday. On Monday, rumours circulated on Twitter and other social media platforms that the Pope Emeritus had suffered a “mild ischemia” – a kind of stroke. “The rumours are false,” Alessandro Gisotti, director ad interim of the Press Office…

Like an orchestra conductor leading a symphony of different sounds and harmonies, the Holy Spirit creates a masterpiece of unity and communion that extols God’s love, Pope Francis has said. In creating this harmony, the Holy Spirit “makes the Church grow by helping it go beyond human limits, sins and scandal”, the Pope said on…

The Diocese of Hong Kong has made a rare foray into politics, issuing a statement urging the city’s government “not to rush to amend” the city’s controversial extradition treaty. The June 11 statement came amid continuing street protests, which on June 12 were broken up by police using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.…

The first Mass in Notre-Dame since the cathedral’s April fire will be said tomorrow evening in a side chapel that houses the crown of thorns, with celebrants expected to wear hard hats for safety. The June 15 Mass will be of the feast of the dedication of Notre-Dame, which is held June 16. It will…