The Catholic population in Canada has declined by almost 2 million people in the last 10 years, the Canadian census has found in a report that indicates the religiously unaffiliated now outnumber Catholics. The latest census figures, compiled in 2021, show the Catholic Canadian population has declined to 10.9 million. Catholics now make up about…
This month 150 randomly-chosen French citizens will debate whether or not to adopt legislation that will legalise “assisted dying” as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to move forward on proposals to legalise assisted suicide. The citizens’ panel will take part in a six-month debate over whether to allow legal euthanasia and assisted suicide. Polling shows that 93% of…
Synodality text praised at Vatican event The Holy Spirit is at work in the latest document of the Synod on Synodality, presenters said October 27 at a press conference on the guiding text for the next stage of the synod’s discussions. The document, or “synthesis of the syntheses,” Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, said, “is therefore…
Around the world, listening sessions for the Synod of Bishops gave many participants a sense of finally being listened to, but they also raised questions about how to promote greater inclusion in the Church while staying true to eternal Church teaching. Two of the issues raised most often in reports sent to the Vatican were…
As France begins a national debate on euthanasia, Pope Francis urged politicians from the country’s northern region to reject the “throwaway culture” and instead focus on providing care and relief to those nearing the end of their lives. “I dare to hope that on such essential issues the debate can be conducted in truth to…
A video has emerged on social media that shows five Catholic priests, a nun, and three others who were kidnapped last month in Cameroon’s Mamfe Diocese pleading with their local ordinary to secure their release. On September 16, unidentified gunmen attacked St Mary’s Catholic Nchang Parish of Mamfe Diocese in Cameroon. Nine people were abducted and buildings on the…
Pope Francis expressed his hope that a new centre for Catholic-Jewish relations in Poland will “foster appreciation of the common heritage, not only of the two religions, but also of the two peoples”. Speaking to Polish pilgrims at his weekly general audience October 19, the Pope noted the inauguration two days earlier of the Abraham…
US bishop renews plea to launch mental health ministry After announcing Bishop John Dolan lost his sister to death by suicide, the Diocese of Phoenix renewed his “urgent plea to get mental health ministry underway”. “Our hearts are breaking as we make known the loss of Mary Elizabeth Dolan, youngest sister of Bishop John P.…
Eritrean authorities are continuing to detain Catholic Bishop Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim of Segheneity, who was arrested at the Asmara International Airport October 15. After the Catholic Church queried about the situation and his whereabouts, government authorities confirmed the bishop, who turned 52 October 23, is in their custody. Bishop Tsalim was picked up soon after…
Academy for Life defends appointment of economist despite abortion posts Convinced that poverty, inequality and economic systems are killing millions of people each year and threatening the dignity of many more people, Pope Francis appointed an economist to the Pontifical Academy for Life. But the nomination of Mariana Mazzucato, a professor of the economics of…
Chai Brady