Pope Francis has condemned last week’s terrorist attack in Barcelona and was “greatly disturbed” by the horrific violence. The Pontiff expressed his closeness with the people of Spain, in particular the injured and their families, and prayed for the victims. Last Thursday the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for what is believed to be three…
The US, Canada and the UK among others have pledged large sums of money to assist countries facing severe food emergencies, but a gap exists between pledged aid and the amount of aid collected. A report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that South Sudan, Somalia, northeast Nigeria and Yemen…
As moves are being made to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia, an archbishop has released a pastoral letter to his parishes outlining the Church’s stance on same-sex marriage. Archbishop Timothy Costello, from the Diocese of Perth, aimed to clarify the reasons behind the Church’s opposition to changing the legal definition of marriage, encouraging parishioners to…
Catholic Church leaders in Bolivia are opposing a controversial new law that strips protection from a national park and indigenous peoples’ territory. The measure signed into law by President Evo Morales in mid-August opens the Isiboro Secure National Park and Indigenous Territory, known as TIPNIS, to highway construction and other development. “The government doesn’t listen…
Condolences sent to people in ‘agony’ after Africa mudslide After a major mudslide and flooding led to the deaths of hundreds of people and displaced thousands, Pope Francis offered his condolences and his prayers to the people of Sierra Leone. “Deeply saddened by the devastating consequences of the mudslide on the outskirts of Freetown, His…
US Catholics have called for peace in the aftermath of violence in Charlottesville, in which three people died and dozens were injured. Catholic bishops, a cardinal and several Catholic organisations made the appeal following clashes between pacifists, protestors and white supremacists in the Virginian town. A white nationalist rally was organised in reaction to Charlottesville…
Catholic bishops in Kenya have called for calm as violent post-election protests led to over 20 people being killed, including a nine-year-old girl. The protests have ignited anger in slums across Nairobi and Kisumu after Raila Odinga, the main opposition candidate, lost against President Uhuru Kenyatta. Mr Odinga has travelled through slums saying the government…
The former president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and of her order, the Sisters of charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), has died age 82. Sr Helen Maher Garvey entered religious life when she was just 17 and subsequently earned a doctorate in organisational development in Columbia University in New York City.…
A Venezuelan cardinal rejected the possibility of foreign intervention in the country following US President Donald Trump’s threat to pursue a military option. “The crisis we Venezuelans are suffering is so serious that now an external problem arises: the threats of a military option by President Trump,” Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas said. He…
Pope Francis called for an end to violence against Christians following deadly attacks in two African countries. The Pope led pilgrims in prayer for the victims of a deadly shooting last week at St Philip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu, in Nigeria. He also prayed for Christians killed following an attack at a mission in Gambo,…