Month: September 2017

Worker inequality threatens society – US bishop

“Excessive inequality” threatens cooperation among all people in society, said Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, in the US bishops’ annual Labour Day statement. Bishop Dewane cited Pope Francis, who told factory workers in Genoa, Italy: “The entire social pact is built around work. This is the core of the problem. Because when you do…

Korean religious leaders urged to spread peace

The Pope stressed the need for interreligious dialogue and peace in a meeting with the Korean Council of Religious Leaders on Saturday. This comes as North Korea continues to develop and test nuclear weapons, which has created serious tension among world leaders. The US, Russia, and North Korea’s closest neighbours Japan, South Korea and China…

Vatican Roundup

Laugh at yourself, don’t be vain Pope tells youth Pope Francis told youth to steer clear of modern society’s narcissistic tendencies, which he referred to as a vain “illness”. The Pontiff spoke off-the-cuff to Spanish members of the Catholic Shalom Community during an audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall this week. He said they…

A canny leader with a gentle touch

As Archbishop of Westminster for nearly a decade, 2000 until 2009, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor began his term of office embroiled in a major scandal over an abuser priest, but rode through it to become a much-loved public figure in Britain, known for his soft Irish lilt, jovial good humour, and deep compassion. He was well known…

Where have all the Catholic men gone?

Dear Editor, I fully agree with the points that John Rogers makes (Letters IC 24/08/2017) about the priestly ordination of men. But where are they? The men I mean. Women outnumber men in any Church ceremony or occasion by at least seven to one. Girls so outnumber boys in any youth gathering that one would almost believe…