Burundi’s Catholic bishops have expressed their concern at rising political intolerance in the east African country. “We are worried about the progressive increase of political intolerance which, in different parts of the country, provokes clashes,” the bishops said in a statement at the end of their four-day plenary meeting in the capital, Gitega. Burundian authorities…
Category: World Report
Charity on the alert for Ebola virus
Catholic Relief Services is monitoring the health situation in Uganda, following two confirmed deaths from the Ebola virus. “We consider even one case a very serious development,” said Niek De Goeij, Uganda Country Representative for Catholic Relief Services. “But while Ebola is a frightening disease, we’ve seen almost a year of critical preparedness efforts on the part…
Exorcist Mexican priest charged with murder
A priest in Mexico City has been arrested for murder barely a week after he celebrated a funeral Mass for the victim. Fr Francisco Javier Bautista was arrested on June 19 and was charged with the murder of Hugo Leonardo Avendano Chavez, 29, who had recently graduated with a master’s degree from a Catholic university,…
In Brief
Archbishop calls for dialogue between US, Iran Amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the US Archdiocese for the Military Services called on President Donald Trump’s administration to seek “sustained dialogue…to de-escalate the current situation that is a danger to both the region and the world”. The archbishop’s call…
Vatican Roundup
Christians must respond to migration crisis humanely – Pope The Vatican recognises how difficult it is for nations to manage the flow of migrants and refugees, but one thing is certain: “We must respond in a humane manner, a Christian manner, and we must try to help people, not harm them,” said the Vatican foreign…
Cardinal Burke resigns from institute, citing its alignment with Steve Bannon
US Cardinal Raymond Burke has resigned from the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, saying it has become “more and more identified with the political program” of Steve Bannon. In a letter posted on his Twitter feed, Cardinal Burke said yesterday (June 25) he had urged the institute to return to its original purpose of promoting the respect…
Pope Francis: There is no room for selfishness in Christian life
Pope Francis said today that there is no room for selfishness in the Christian life, pointing to the example of the lives of the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles. “The community of believers banishes individualism in favour of sharing and solidarity. There is no place for selfishness if you are a Christian,”…
Bishop pledges to stand with Hong Kong protestors
As massive protests continued in Hong Kong, the auxiliary bishop pledged to remain with those opposing a controversial extradition bill and the resignation of the Chinese territory’s leader. Although chief executive Carrie Lam announced on June 15 that she had suspended the bill, Hong Kong people were not satisfied and turned out in even greater…
Bishops vote to revise US catechism’s death penalty section
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…
Fear over Ghana Catholics abandoning the Faith
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…









