Vatican welcomes Cardinal Pell acquittal; says he waited for the truth
Vatican CityReuters The Vatican on Tuesday welcomed Cardinal George Pell’s acquittal by Australia’s highest court on charges of sexual abuse, praising him for having “waited for the truth to be ascertained”. In its first official reaction, a statement said the Vatican had always had confidence in Australian judicial authorities and reaffirmed the Holy See’s “commitment […]
Coronavirus latest – WHO warns against easing coronavirus measures too early; global death toll crosses 76,000
Reuters The World Health Organization has no blanket recommendation for countries and regions for easing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, but urged them not to lift them too early, a spokesman said on Tuesday. “One of the most important parts is not to let go of the measures too early in […]
Poor workers trying to feed families jailed, abused in coronavirus lockdowns
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia/New Delhi, IndiaThomson Reuters Foundation Poor workers have been arrested and beaten by police for trying to put food on the table during coronavirus lockdowns, prompting warnings on Tuesday of social upheaval if aid is not delivered. In Malaysia, two men who usually earn about 100 ringgit ($US23) a day fixing roofs have […]
After Pell sentence, Pope prays for those suffering “unjust sentences”
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis, speaking just a few hours after Australia’s highest court acquitted Cardinal George Pell of sexually assaulting two choirboys, on Tuesday offered his morning Mass for those who suffer from unjust sentences. The court quashed convictions that Pell sexually assaulted the two teenagers in the 1990s and allowed the 78-year-old former Vatican […]
Cyclone Harold tears through Vanuatu, bears toward Fiji
Melbourne, AustraliaReuters Tropical Cyclone Harold lashed the South Pacific island of Vanuatu for a second day on Tuesday, ripping off roofs and downing telecommunications, and was moving towards Fiji where it is expected to slightly weaken. The powerful cyclone made landfall on Monday in Sana province, an island north of Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, with […]
Updated: Ex-Vatican treasurer Pell leaves Australian jail after sex offences acquittal
Last updated 6pmMelbourne, AustraliaReuters Australia’s highest court on Tuesday acquitted former Vatican treasurer George Pell of sexually assaulting two teenaged choirboys in the 1990s, allowing the 78-year-old cardinal to walk free from jail. The High Court ordered Pell’s convictions be quashed and verdicts of acquittal be entered in their place, ending the most high profile […]
A new book urges canonisation of late US Catholic Archbishop Fulton Sheen, father of electronic Mass
Vatican CityRNS The Catholic Church’s pioneer of electronic evangelisation, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, was a missionary of the modern age, bringing the church into millions of homes and giving a sometimes obscure faith an approachable, contemporary face. After appearing frequently on The Catholic Hour radio show from 1930 to 1950, his hit television series Life Is […]
UN urges countries to extend care to all migrants to combat coronavirus
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and trafficking victims worldwide should be granted access to healthcare and welfare – regardless of their legal status – to protect them during the coronavirus pandemic, two United Nations experts said on Monday. Migrants working in sectors such as farming or the shadow economy often lack any […]
Countries must tackle “horrifying” domestic abuse surge amid lockdowns – UN chief
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation UN chief António Guterres has called on governments to take urgent measures to tackle a “horrifying global surge” in domestic violence fuelled by worldwide lockdowns to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. Calls to helplines have doubled or tripled in some countries amid increasing social and economic strains compounded by […]
One big tribe under God
Previously I spoke about militant tribalism. People so convinced their tribe is the only one that counts, they kill to force everyone into their tribe. PICTURE: Jordan Conner/Unsplash Tribalism is humanity’s default. We are all part of tribes. Tribes are necessary for identity and esteem whether it be family, football, race or religion. But tribes […]