Spain’s bishops apologise for sex abuses but dispute the estimated number of victims in report
Madrid, SpainAP Spain’s Catholic bishops on Monday apologized again for sex abuses committed by church members following a report by Spain’s Ombudsman that accused the church of widespread negligence. But the bishops dismissed as “a lie” media interpretations of the official report that put the number of victims involving the church in the hundreds of thousands. They […]
King apologises for Netherlands’ historic role in slavery
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsReuters Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Saturday apologised for the Netherlands’ historic involvement in slavery and the effects that it still has today. The Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander attends the National Remembrance Day of Slavery in the Oosterpark, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on 1st July, 2023. PICTURE: Remko de Waal/Pool via Reuters The King was speaking […]
In the US, panel makes ethics ruling against lawmaker who hid Bibles in Arizona House lounge
Phoenix, Arizona, USAP An ethics committee in the Arizona House has concluded that a Democratic lawmaker engaged in disorderly behaviour by hiding Bibles in a lounge for legislators as a comment about the separation of church and state and the weaponisation of religion in politics. Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, of Tucson, was caught on video […]
Australia marks anniversary of ‘Stolen Generation’ apology; promises more funds
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia on Monday committed about $US300 million to improve life outcomes of its Aboriginal people, as the country marked 15 years since a national apology for forcibly removing Indigenous children from families under old assimilation policies. The government announced $A424 million would go towards “Closing the Gap”, which includes providing safe and […]
Church of England apologises to LGBTQI+ people for ‘shameful’ treatment
London, UK Reuters Church of England bishops apologised to LGBTQI+ people on Friday for the rejection and hostility they have faced, with the Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledging that the religious body was still “very divided” on the subject. The apology comes days after the Church of England set out proposals developed by the bishops that showed it would refuse to allow same-sex […]
Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriage
London, UKAP The Church of England said Wednesday it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time but same-sex couples still will not be allowed to marry in its churches. The decision followed five years of debate and consultation on the church’s position on sexuality. It is expected to be outlined in […]
Five things you need to know from the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in the US
Columbus, Ohio, USRNS Watching backstage as more than 800 Lutherans sang hymns on the floor of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton mused, “We haven’t been singing like this for a long time together. “It’s really powerful.” The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly meets at the Greater Columbus Convention Center […]
In the US, Lutheran bishop issues public apology to Latino congregation
United StatesAP Elizabeth A Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, issued a public apology Tuesday to members of a majority Latino immigrant congregation for the pain and trauma they endured after the predominantly white denomination’s first openly transgender bishop unexpectedly fired their pastor. Speaking during the 2022 Churchwide Assembly being held […]
Hearing pain of Canada school survivors felt like slaps, Pope says
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis said on Wednesday he felt the pain of survivors of Canada’s residential school system “like slaps” and that the Catholic Church has to face up to its responsibility for institutions that abused children and tried to erase Indigenous cultures. The Pope dedicated his talk at his weekly general audience to his […]
A #toosoon moment? Pope in headdress draws mixed response
Phoenix, United StatesAP It was a stunning image: Pope Francis briefly wearing a full Indigenous headdress, its rows of soft white feathers fastened in place by a colourful, beaded headband after he apologised for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s “disastrous” residential school system for Indigenous children. Chief Wilton Littlechild, a residential school survivor himself, […]