Catholic schools in the US are accepting students and enrolment inquiries from Puerto Rican families displaced to Florida after the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria. An informal survey conducted in early October by the Miami Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools indicated that some 50 students from Puerto Rico had already been placed in Catholic elementary…
Pope Francis has announced there will be a special assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October next year on the state of evangelisation in the Pan-Amazon region of South America, with special attention paid to indigenous people. The purpose of the assembly will be to “identify new paths for the evangelisation” of people in…
Catholic bishops in the Philippines say they are not acting to undermine the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte by offering sanctuary to several policemen allegedly linked to drug-related killings. Fr Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the bishops’ conference, said the church leaders should not be perceived as plotting against anyone. “The Church is not one…
Accused of historic sexual abuse Cardinal George Pell will face a four week committal hearing next year, and up to 50 witnesses are expected to be called upon. Cardinal Pell (76) is the most senior Catholic Church official to face such charges, and is currently on leave from his position as the Vatican’s Prefect of…
Polish Catholics from hundreds of parishes joined a rosary prayer along the border of the country to pray for Poland and the world. The event, called ‘Rosary to the Borders’ was held on the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7, and almost 320 Churches along the border were identified as…
It has been discovered that the head of the Legionaries of Christ’s Rome seminary fathered two children in yet another scandal for the order. In a statement, they announced that Fr Oscar Turrion, who was the rector of the Pontifical International, would leave the priesthood. It included a letter from the priest who asked “forgiveness…
Catholic leaders in Mali warned that parishes face increasing assaults by Islamic militants despite attempts to enforce a peace deal in the North African country. “Our churches and chapels are now being targeted by extremists, who’ve told Christians not to gather to pray,” said Msgr Edmond Dembele, Secretary General of the Malian bishops’ conference. Tensions…
China is a communist nation therefore the Catholic Church must be realistic and seek a stance of mutual tolerance with the government, said a former teacher at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University. “I’m an optimist, above all because I believe in God. God is the Lord of human history. Whatever way human history proceeds, it never…
European Union dialogue to promote peace Hundreds of Church and EU political representatives will meet in the Vatican to discuss challenges facing the EU. Organised by the Holy See and COMECE – the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU – ‘(Re)thinking Europe’ will take place between October 27-29 and will mark the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the…
The Indian Catholic priest who recently met the Pope after being freed by kidnappers in Yemen met with the Indian Prime Minister after returning home. Fr Tom Uzhunnalil returned to India last week after being freed after 18 months of captivity. He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials. India’s foreign ministry…