Italian police have found the relic of St John Bosco which was stolen earlier this month. The relic of the saint’s brain was discovered in a copper teapot in a kitchen cupboard last week. The alleged perpetrator of the crime is a 42-year old man with a criminal record, residing in Pirenolo, Turin. He was…
Controversy has arisen over the nomination of an Anglican professor – who agrees with abortion in certain circumstances – to the Pontifical Academy for Life. The academy is against abortion and is committed to involving increasing numbers of people in the defence of human life according to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the academy president. Critics have…
Dozens of priests from Indonesia have quit their posts after accusing a bishop of embezzling $100,000 (€89,000) of church funds for personal use. Almost 70 priests from the Catholic island Flores, in the Reuteng Diocese, submitted letters of resignation after demanding that Bishop Hubertus Leteng complies with a complete change of how the diocese is…
Twenty-four students from 18 countries graduated from Rome’s Jesuit university last week, and will return to their dioceses to strengthen or kick-start child protection policies. The graduates studied in the Centre for Child Protection’s intensive programme at the Pontifical Gregorian University. The ceremony, at the Gregorian University, included a panel discussion with five post-doctoral students…
Pope Francis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the responsibility of the international community to address poverty and hunger worldwide. In the meeting on June 17 in the Vatican, they discussed the G20 meeting in Hamburg, climate change and the threats of global terrorism. A statement released by the Vatican said: “Special remembrance was reserved…
The Vatican has released an online questionnaire for young people in preparation for the Synod of Bishops on youth in 2018. The survey aims to better understand the lives, attitudes and concerns of young men and women aged 16-29 around the world. The answers to the questionnaire will provide the basis for a working document…
Church agencies are helping London Catholic school students cope with the trauma of the Grenfell Tower fire. With pupils confirmed missing and the death toll rising the tragedy devastated the local community. John Paul Morrison, the Director of Education for the Archdiocese of Westminster, said the archdiocese was offering counselling to students. “What they have…
Pope Francis expressed his “closeness” to the people of Portugal after deadly forest fires killed over 60 people. After reciting the Marian prayer last Sunday in St Peter’s Square, the Pope mentioned the disaster, which occurred in the south-east of Coimbra. Three days of national mourning were declared after a severe heatwave, with temperatures in…
Following its own findings of severe corruption in government, the South African Council of Churches called for the dissolving of parliament and new general elections. The government “has lost its moral legitimacy” and new polls are needed, the South African Council of Churches said in a statement. The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference is a…
Civilians in Myanmar (Burma) are seeking shelter in churches following an ultimatum made by the country’s army. The military dropped letters warning residents to leave an area called Tanai, by June 15, or else they would be considered to have links with a rebel army it has been reported. Church social workers have said that…