New cardinal warns of rise of ‘extremist Islam’ in Madagascar
World Watch Monitor One of Pope Francis’s new cardinals has warned of the rise of “extremist Islam” in the southern African island nation of Madagascar. “The fundamentalists are beginning to establish themselves and, little by little, as their numbers grow, we start to wonder when they will really show who they are, and this truly […]
Christians across the world invited to join in a ‘Season of Creation’
Christians across the world have been invited to join in a month long ‘Season of Creation’ later this year and set aside time to “deepen their relationship with God, each other, and all of creation”. A poster for the Season of Creation. The idea of a ‘Season of Creation’ – described as an “annual celebration […]
Fruit and veg off the menu for Indonesian girls as myths fuel malnutrition
Thomson Reuters Foundation From fears that eating chicken wings makes it hard to find a husband to beliefs that pineapple jeopardises fertility, a host of food taboos are fuelling malnutrition among Indonesian girls, experts said as they launched an adolescent health drive. Nutritionists said girls ate very little protein, vegetables or fruit, preferring to fill […]
Small arms kill more than 500,000 people a year, UN conference hears
Small arms fire kills more than 500,000 people a year and while those pulling the trigger include police and soldiers, most are members of armed groups, terrorist organisation, criminal gangs or national security forces abusing their power, a UN conference has heard. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, the UN Chef de Cabinet, made the comments at the […]
IMMIGRATION: IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, CATHOLICS AID VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS AMID GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN
MELISSA WILLIAMS-SAMBRANO, of Religion News Service, reports on how Catholics are aiding thousands of Venezuelans who are fleeing to Trinidad and Tobago…
Ugandan Catholic bishops express concern over rise in kidnappings
Uganda’s Catholic bishops have expressed concern over the increasing number of kidnappings and killings in their country. Agenzia Fides reports that in a statement made at the end of a gathering earlier this month, the bishops said they noted “with great concern that there has been an increase in kidnappings, organised crime and killings in […]
ESSAY: WHY HAS THE WORLD BECOME SO STRANGE?
Writing from London, MAL FLETCHER reflects on the “strangeness” being seen in Western democracies and the role technology may be playing…
PRIORITIES
Why are some people high flyers and others also-rans? Why do some achieve a lot, others not so much? What are your priorities for the coming days? PICTURE: Eric Rothermel/Unsplash Priorities. Some people are great at prioritising what’s important and productive, while others procrastinate. In my own life, I know to make these spots happen […]
SIGHT-SEEING: WHY DID US ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS QUOTE ROMANS 13 AND WHY IS IT SO OFTEN INVOKED?
In the wake of US Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ comments last week quoting a passage in Romans 13 concerned with obeying the laws of the government, EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER and YONAT SHIMRON, of Religion News Service, take a closer look at the passage and its use…
Australian nun wins appeal and can stay in The Philippines – for now
An Australian nun who was ordered to leave The Philippines after her visa was cancelled over allegations of being involved in “political activities” has won an appeal of the decision. Sr Patricia Fox – whom President Rodrigo Duterte had personally ordered be investigated over alleged “illegal political activities” – was arrested in April and held briefly in […]