Vatican says not enough evidence to try cardinal for sexual assault A preliminary Vatican investigation into allegations against Cardinal Marc Ouellet concluded there was not sufficient evidence to warrant opening up formal proceedings against the cardinal for sexual assault, a Vatican spokesman said. However, the Jesuit who did the investigation was a long-time associate of…
A fire ripped through a packed Coptic Orthodox church during morning services in Egypt’s capital on Sunday, quickly filling it with thick black smoke and killing 41 worshippers, including at least 15 children. Several trapped congregants jumped from upper floors of the Martyr Abu Sefein church to try to escape the intense flames, witnesses said.…
Cardinal Joseph Zen is set to stand trial next month, along with four other people, in connection to his role as a trustee of a pro-democracy legal fund. It appears he has not been indicted under Hong Kong’s national security law, which would have carried with it much more serious penalties. Cardinal Zen, 90, is…
Nigerian officials identified six suspects arrested in connection with the June 5 attack that killed 40 people at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo. Maj. Gen. Jimmy Akpor, defence department spokesman, said all were linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province group. He said the arrests were made through a joint effort of military…
Fatima shrine falling into ruin The Shrine of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Pontevedra, Spain, is in a dilapidated state. The place where Our Lady called for the first Saturday devotion needs urgent reconstruction work to avoid total ruin. “It’s a shame that such a special place is in this state,” said…
Myanmar’s military junta has committed crimes against humanity amid ongoing conflicts in the country following the coup last year, said a new report by the United Nations. The UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar said in its annual report August 9 that sexual and gender-based crimes, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, and…
The European Court of Human Rights has dismissed the case of an Iranian convert to Christianity, who is appealing his deportation from Germany back to Iran, on the grounds of religious freedom. Campaigners fear that the court’s decision means that the 44 year-old, will likely face prison or death, on account of his religious conversion.…
Desire for eternal youth is ‘delusional,’ Pope says The passing of time in one’s life is meant to be lived as a God-given grace and not a meaningless pursuit to preserve one’s youthfulness, Pope Francis said. Men and women are “apprentices of life” who amid trials and tribulations “learn to appreciate God’s gift, honouring the…
A Nicaraguan human rights organisation released a video August 4 showing police in riot gear outside the diocesan offices of one the country’s bishops, preventing him from leaving to celebrate Mass at the cathedral. Because the incident took place on a Thursday and Catholics were likely expecting him to show up for exposition and adoration…
The Australian Parliament is considering legislation that would allow the country’s two territories to pass their own laws, paving the way for legalising euthanasia. On August 2, the House of Representatives passed the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022, which removes the risk of the federal government overriding the territories’ laws. The bill must still be…