Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega blasted Catholic leaders as a “gang of murderers,” in comments amping up persecution of the Church and scorning Pope Francis’ call for dialogue in the Central American country. In a fiery address, Ortega took aim at Nicaragua’s Catholic bishops for promoting democracy as an exit from the country’s political crisis, alleging…
Pope Francis has appointed Teresa Devlin, CEO of the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, as a new member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland Eamon Martin welcomed Ms Devlin’s appointment, saying that the Pope appoints those “who…
The head of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia said the FBI’s arrest of a prominent Catholic pro-life activist known for his sidewalk counselling outside a Philadelphia abortion facility is “a horrendous stunt to intimidate pro-lifers”. Mark Houck, 48, was arrested at his home in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the morning of September 23 for…
Carol Glatz Pope Francis reconfirmed the leadership of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and expanded its membership from 17 to 20 people, naming 10 new members and reappointing 10 returning members. US Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, president of the commission, said, “Coming from all over the world with varied backgrounds and…
Price for corgis rockets in UK after queen’s death Prices for corgis, the dogs beloved by Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth, have soared to new highs since her funeral last week, AFP reported the UK’s largest pet marketplace as saying Pets4Homes told AFP it was currently experiencing “over ten times the volume of daily searches for…
Dear Editor, I must say I was grieved to see Peter Costello’s unfavourable review of The Saint Mary’s Book of Christian Verse, which I chose and introduced. Having enjoyed Mr Costello’s amusing biography of James Joyce’s father and knowing that he writes well of poetry himself, I would have liked to have had my book…
Multiple challenges determine Catholic agencies’ response in Africa A humanitarian official who works in Southern Africa said Churches must offer a unified regional response to the problems crippling development in the region. Mwila Mulumbi, the Zambian country representative of CAFOD, spoke to the assembly of the Interregional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, IMBISA, in…
Editor says renewal of Vatican agreement with China on the horizon As the October deadline approaches for the extension of the Vatican’s agreement with the Chinese government, the newly appointed editor of the news agency of the Dicastery for Evangelisation said the deal has been instrumental in allowing Catholics to practice their faith openly and…
Three bishops of Pakistan dioceses most affected by recent deadly monsoon flooding appealed for more funding for emergency food, repairing damaged homes and providing medical needs for the worst-hit victims in their provinces. The South Asian country has been hit hard by record floods caused by monsoon rains and glacial melting since the rainy season…
Cuban dictatorship expels Jesuit’s superior The Cuban dictatorship has expelled Fr David Pantaleón, who served as superior of the Jesuits, from the island by not renewing his residency permit. “On the morning of Tuesday, September 13, Fr David Pantaleón, superior of the Jesuits in Cuba, left the island because his residency permit was not renewed,”…