New Catholic pilgrim initiative launched in UK
Norwich, UK A new UK pilgrimage initiative has been launched by the Roman Catholic church, using a network of pedestrian routes linking all the cathedrals. Titled ‘Hearts in Search of God’ it is the result of an initiative by former CEO of Caritas UK, Phil McCarthy. Catholic pilgrims walking at Clifton in the UK. PICTURE: […]
Mexican bishops to put photos of dead priests in churches
Mexico City, MexicoAP Mexico’s Roman Catholic Council of Bishops called Monday on parishes throughout the country to put photos of dead nuns and priests in their churches this Sunday and to hold Masses for all those killed in gang-fueled violence. The call for special celebrations throughout July came after two Jesuit priests and a tour […]
Indian court acquits bishop of charge of raping nun
New Delhi, India AP An Indian court on Friday acquitted a Roman Catholic bishop of charges of raping a nun in her rural convent, a case that became a major issue amid allegations of sexual harassment in the church. Sessions Judge G Gopakumar in a brief order said the Bishop was not guilty of charges […]
Nicaragua’s President Ortega calls bishops “terrorists”
Managua, Nicaragua AP Nicaragua’s increasingly isolated President Daniel Ortega called Roman Catholic bishops “terrorists” Monday and said many countries would have arrested them. In this 5th September, 2018, file photo, Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, lead a rally in Managua, Nicaragua. PICTURE: AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga/File photo. Ortega claims widespread […]
Pope Francis renews curbs on Latin Mass in rebuff to conservatives
Reuters Pope Francis on Friday overturned decisions by his two predecessors and re-imposed restrictions on the old-style Latin Mass preferred by traditionalist Roman Catholics, saying it was being exploited to divide the church. Conservative groups reacted with dismay and anger to the latest episode of what some have dubbed the church’s “liturgy wars”. Pope Francis […]
In US state of Iowa, priests cannot be charged for old abuse despite new law
Iowa City, Iowa, USAP Roman Catholic priests who victimized Iowa children decades ago cannot be prosecuted despite a new law eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse, the state attorney general says. The law, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds last month, does not apply to cases in which the statute of limitations has already expired, […]
Romania’s biggest Catholic service offers faith, vaccines
Miercurea Ciuc, Romania AP More than 35,000 Roman Catholic pilgrims congregated Saturday at an open-air shrine in Romania for a centuries-old procession that was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The service in Sumuleu Ciuc, located in Romania’s Transylvania region, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and dates back more than 450 years. […]
Catholic officials halt activity in Haiti for nine kidnapped
Port-au-Prince, HaitiAP Roman Catholic institutions including schools and universities closed Wednesday across Haiti in a three-day protest to demand the release of five priests, two nuns and two other people kidnapped more than a week ago amid a spike in violence that the government is struggling to control. Catholic officials also organised Masses to pray […]
Argentine congress debates abortion rights; activists gather
Buenos Aires, ArgentinaAP Argentine lawmakers on Thursday debated a bill that would legalise abortion in most cases as demonstrators for and against the initiative gathered in separate areas outside the congress building. The bill, backed by President Alberto Fernández, appeared headed for approval by ruling party lawmakers in the lower house, but the outlook in […]
ESSAY: ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS HAVE BEEN CELIBATE FOR A 1,000 YEARS – BUT THAT COULD CHANGE
In an article first published on The Conversation, HELEN PARISH, a professor in history at the University of Reading in the UK, looks at the debate over priestly celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church…