The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 yesterday, June 26, that a California law that placed requirements on crisis pregnancy centres that oppose abortion violated the First Amendment. In its decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra, the court found that the law changes the content of the clinic’s speech “by…
The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 yesterday, June 26, that a California law that placed requirements on crisis pregnancy centres that oppose abortion violated the First Amendment. In its decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra, the court found that the law changes the content of the clinic’s speech “by…
Calling torture a “mortal sin,” Pope Francis called on Christians to help victims of this crime against human rights. Marking the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture yesterday, June 26, the Pope tweeted: “Torture is a mortal sin! Christian communities must commit themselves to helping victims of torture.” The Pope has…
Mark Pattinson Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, said June 20 he will no longer exercise any public ministry “in obedience” to the Vatican after an allegation he abused a teenager 47 years ago was found credible. Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey, where Cardinal McCarrick served as its first…
Pope Francis has denounced the practice of administering prenatal tests to determine birth defects that often lead to abortions, comparing it to the Nazi-era eugenics programme that determined what lives were worth keeping or eliminating. Children are God’s greatest gift and should be welcomed “as they come, as God sends them, as God allows, even…
Matthew Carlson Mexico’s World Cup team experienced a miracle of sorts on Sunday with a stunning victory over Germany, some say because of one faithful grandmother. A girl named Paola of El Paso, Texas posted a video via Twitter of her grandmother blessing the Mexican team moments before the game started on Sunday. The video…
The environment has taken centre stage in Indonesia’s regional elections in South Kalimantan after it emerged that the vast majority of mining and palm oil businesses in the province flout environmental laws. According to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry as many as 600 out of 700 businesses break the rules. They include contributing to air pollution, mismanagement…
The Saudi-led coalition’s assault on Hodeida, Yemen’s main port city, will have a “catastrophic impact” on the ability of relief groups to get food, medicine and other aid to vulnerable Yemeni families in urgent need of assistance, a Catholic aid agency warned. CAFOD, the overseas aid agency of the bishops of England and Wales, made…
Listen to those in need says Pope on World Day of Poor How is it that God in heaven can hear the cries of the poor, but so many people watching or standing nearby either cannot or just do not care, Pope Francis asked on the World Day of the Poor. The recently established commemoration is meant to give Christians a chance to follow Christ’s example…
An Australian acting archbishop has said the Church will not adhere to new laws that compel priests to break the Seal of Confession. The laws are expected to come into effect in South Australia in October and will make it legally mandatory for clergy to report child abuse if they are told about it in…
Chai Brady