Poland’s bishops said they no longer have enough clergy to minister to Polish people living abroad and urged emigrant Catholics to integrate more with the Church in other countries. “Even with a very large group of Polish priests, it isn’t possible to reach in a timely way every place where Poles are found,” said the…
Vatican watchdog reports ongoing progress in oversight The Vatican’s financial watchdog agency has reported continued progress in oversight, reporting and cooperation in its efforts to prevent suspected money laundering and the financing of terrorism. In its annual report for 2017, the Financial Intelligence Authority (AIF) confirmed a “robust reporting system and an effective application of the regulatory framework of the Holy…
In an unprecedented move, Pope Francis has appointed three female academics as consultants to the Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog, paving the way for women to have a more integral role in the Church’s central administration. The Vatican announced on April 21 that the Pontiff had named three women and two priests as consultants to the Congregation…
Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon of Uijeongbu has been waiting years for this moment, with the leaders of the two divided Koreas poised to meet for a historic summit just inside South Korean territory on April 27. Ucanews.com reported Bishop Lee, president of the Korean bishops’ Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, released a…
Former US first lady Barbara Bush “was a model public servant and set a standard for her unwavering and loving devotion to both family and community,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston Houston in offering his prayers and “heartfelt condolences” to the Bush family. Wife of the nation’s 41st president and mother of the 43rd…
The Church in Germany said it would review its employment system after top European judges warned it could violate anti-discrimination laws by requiring employees to be religious. On April 17, the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that demands for Church employees to have a “religious affiliation” should be subject to judicial review. Fr…
Young people in Europe need political support to start families in countries with aging populations, a Catholic campaign group has said. While “young people want to form lasting relationships and have children,” they “don’t feel safe” to start families, said Antoine Renard, president of the Brussels-based Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe. “Unless something…
A conservative member of parliament has blocked a motion calling on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to invite Pope Francis to apologise for the Church’s role in abuse at Indian residential schools. However, Charlie Angus, a member of parliament, said the motion would come up for debate and a vote in the coming weeks.…
Pope call s German cardinal to Rome to discuss eucharistic sharing Pope Francis has asked the president of the German bishops’ conference to come to Rome to discuss pastoral guidelines for possibly allowing some non-Catholics married to Catholics to receive the Eucharist, the conference spokesman has said. Reports that “the document was rejected in the Vatican by the Holy Father or by the dicasteries…
Pope Francis has spoken out about the temptations encountered in the Christian life, encouraging faithful to not be discouraged by the struggle, but to be reassured and strengthened by the prayers of the Church. “It is difficult to fight against evil, to escape from its deceptions, to regain strength after a tiring struggle, but we…