This Life: There to comfort us
SAMANTHA ELLEY writes about how God is always there for us – especially when we need Him most…
Survivor tells of “tsunami” of victims ahead of report on French Catholic Church
Paris, FranceReuters A report on sex abuse by Roman Catholic clergymen in France is set to say there has been an estimated 216,000 victims since 1950, a survivor who contributed to the dossier said ahead of its publication on Tuesday. An independent commission spent more than two-and-a-half-years investigating sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in […]
Hybrid Religions for Peace conference takes focus on climate, conflict, coronavirus
RNS Religions for Peace, the international interfaith conference, began Monday, in a new hybrid format after a relatively low-key virtual meeting last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Most of the event’s 1,500 participants are watching from home this year, as some 125 faith leaders from at least 16 countries come together in person to […]
Philippines to investigate 154 police over deadly drugs war
Manila, PhilippinesReuters An initial investigation by the Philippine Government has found 154 police officers could be criminally liable over their conduct in President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, in a rare admission by the state that abuses may have taken place. The findings, announced by the Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday, come just […]
Unchecked debt “dagger through heart” for global recovery, says UN chief
New York City, USReuters UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that if left unchecked debt distress in the world’s most vulnerable countries would be “a dagger through the heart of global recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic. “The international community has taken a few positive steps, but it is time for a quantum leap in […]
Pope, world religious leaders, issue pre-COP26 appeal on climate change
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis and other religious leaders made a joint appeal on Monday for next month’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) to offer concrete solutions to save the planet from “an unprecedented ecological crisis”. The “Faith and Science: Towards COP26” meeting brought together Christian leaders including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Orthodox Ecumenical […]
Three Swiss Guards who refused vaccination return to Switzerland
Vatican CityAP Three Vatican Swiss Guards who have refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19 upon Holy See orders have voluntarily left the storied corps to return to Switzerland, a Swiss Guard official said Sunday. Lt Urs Breitenmoser told The Associated Press that all Swiss Guards had been asked to be vaccinated “to protect their health […]
Spain’s PM Sanchez vows to rebuild La Palma as eruption gathers force
La Palma, SpainReuters Red-hot lava exploded high into the air from La Palma’s volcano on Sunday night as the eruption gathered force, hours after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain would help rebuild the island, adding that it was safe for tourists to visit. Local media reported the north side of the volcano had collapsed […]
Philippines pets receive blessings in drive-through ceremony
Manila, PhilippinesReuters Hundreds of animal lovers in the Philippines had their pets blessed via a drive-through ceremony on Sunday to mark World Animal Day and the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, forgoing the usual fanfare due to COVID-19. This was the second straight year that organisers had to hold […]
Updated: Fifth Australian Catholic Church Plenary Council opens
Updated: 5pm (AEDT)Sydney, Australia The first Australian Catholic Church Plenary Council since 1937 opened on Sunday, with COVID-19 restrictions forcing the original Adelaide meeting – delayed by 12 months – largely online. The national meeting, involving 278 members across the country – including bishops, members of religious congregations and laypeople – is discussing a range […]