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…
Pontiff releases World Day of the Poor message 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…
Fr Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood today making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the first black American saint. Pope Francis recognised the heroic virtue of Fr Tolton on June 12 making him “venerable” within the Church, only two steps away from canonisation. With the decree, Catholics are now authorised…
An essential characteristic of Christian community is its unity in diversity, and the freedom this gives to Christians to come alive as witnesses of Christ, Pope Francis said today. The selection of Matthias to take Judas’ place among the Twelve Apostles, as told at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, is the “reunification…