Pope Francis praised Allied troops who took part in critical D-Day landings in France 75 years ago, while also remembering German soldiers who died fighting under Nazi orders. “We know the landings on June 6, 1944, here in Normandy were decisive in the struggle against Nazi barbarism, allowing a path to open towards ending a…
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have banned the National Institutes of Health from using human foetal stem cells from electively aborted babies for government funded research. The department also issued a $20 million (€17.6 million) grant for research to develop models that do not rely on human foetal tissue yesterday. HHS…
Cardinal George Pell was taken back to prison at the end of a two-day hearing on his appeal of his conviction on five counts of child sexual abuse. A three-judge panel from the Appeals Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria said it would announce its judgment at a later date yesterday (June 6), giving…
Police in Vietnam have been accused of abducting a Catholic advocate for social and charitable activities. Nguyen Thi Tinh said her husband Nguyen Nang Tinh, 43, was seized and pushed into a truck by police officers while he and their two sons were on their way to breakfast on May 29, ucanews.com reported. The official…
Catholic bishops of East Africa have introduced a handbook to help Church leaders develop standards to safeguard the safety of children. Child Safeguarding – Standards and Guidelines: A Catholic Guide for Policy Development was introduced in the Kenyan capital by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, known as AMECEA. The release followed…
Philippine authorities are trying to win the hearts and minds of people amid allegations that police officers have been behind many of the thousands of drug-related killings that have stained the country’s image in recent years, ucanews.com reported. At a police camp in the central Philippines, police hosted a traditional ‘Flores de Mayo, (‘Flowers of…
American society needs to examine why mass shootings and other violent incidents occur, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development has said following the murder of 12 people in Virginia. “This shooting reminds us yet again that something is fundamentally broken in our society and culture when ordinary workplaces…
Pope Francis has said that he continues to visit retired Pope Benedict XVI, 92, who is like a grandfather who continues to encourage him and give him strength. “I take his hand and let him speak. He speaks little, at his own pace, but with the same profoundness as always. Benedict’s problem are his knees,…
Australian prelate’s appeal begins This week sees Australian Cardinal George Pell making a case for a last chance of freedom, with his case being heard by the Appeals Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Three judges will preside over the June 5-6 hearing, with a decision expected within several months. The cardinal was convicted…
Pope’s teachings on devil focus of new book A new book of Pope Francis’ teachings on the history of the devil, “his empty promises and works” and “how we can actively combat him” has been published by the US hierarchy. Titled Rebuking the Devil, the book is meant for a wide audience and “shows us…