In the US, prominent bishop of AME Zion Church suspended, faces financial accusations
RNS A former top bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has been suspended and is awaiting trial. He faces accusations of mishandling millions of dollars in transactions related to congregations, the denomination’s bishops announced. “[T]he Board of Bishops announces the immediate suspension of Staccato Powell as an active Bishop of the AME Zion […]
In wake of financial scandals, Vatican releases budget for first time in four years
Vatican CityRNS For the first time since 2016, the Vatican has released its financial budget for the administration of Roman Curia. “The faithful have the right to know how we utilise our resources,” said the prefect for economy at the Vatican, Rev Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves. Speaking to Vatican media outlets on Thursday Alves said […]
Updated: Church says Cardinal Pell returning to Vatican in crisis
Updated: 5.45pm (AEST)Canberra, AustraliaAP Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis’ former finance minister, will soon return to the Vatican during an extraordinary economic scandal for the first time since he was cleared of child abuse allegations in Australia five months ago, a church agency said Monday. Pell will fly back to Rome on Tuesday, CathNews, an […]
With tourism and giving down, Vatican tightens belt. It may not work, despite Pope Francis’ hopes
Vatican CityRNS Six months into 2020, nations around the world are already floundering to salvage their crippled economies. The Vatican is no exception. St Peter’s Square is closed in Vatican City on Palm on Sunday, 5th April in Rome. PICTURE: Claire Giangravé/RNS/File photo. Travel bans and lockdown in Italy have shut down the usual robust […]
ESSAY: BITCOIN TURNS 10! IS CASHLESS NEXT?
Writing from London, MAL FLETCHER looks at 10 years of Bitcoin and what’s next…
MONEY: HOW CHURCHES IN THE US ARE USING POLITICAL PRESSURE, SMALL DOLLAR LOANS TO FIGHT PREDATORY PAYDAY LENDING
MARK A KELLNER, of Religion News Service, reports on how US churches are calling for limits on short-term, payday lending schemes and are, in some cases, offering alternatives…
Music Soundbite – The TCM Update: Christian artists face increasing financial challenges
Jay McNeill Listen to this week’s TCM Update…
Endangered Anglican cathedrals prompt Church of England review
RNS Pages from the Lindisfarne Gospels are projected onto Durham Cathedral in Durham, northern England, in 2009. PICTURE: Reuters/Nigel Roddis The future of England’s cathedrals – often described as the crown jewel of the nation’s architectural heritage – will be examined by a special Church of England working group following a series of disastrous financial crises […]
ESSAY: FINANCIAL CRISIS – A TIME FOR CAUTION, NOT FEAR
MAL FLETCHER says that while it’s wise to exercise caution in the current global financial crisis with many people facing significant financial losses, fear can be crippling and might even blind us to opportunities to improve our situation…
ESSAY: CREDIT CRUNCHES, GREED AND DISCONTENT – WHAT CAN WE LEARN?
Writing from London, MAL FLETCHER says the global economic crisis represents a chance for us all to reflect on our own priorities…