Bolivia’s Catholic Church says it was ‘deaf’ to sexual abuse victims
La Paz, Bolivia Reuters Roman Catholic Church leaders in Bolivia said on Wednesday the institution had been “deaf” to sexual abuse in church-run schools and said they were taking action after a series of accusations in recent weeks led to protests and a legal investigation. The accusations were sparked by the publication in Spanish newspaper […]
Ukraine’s main church to switch calendar in move away from Russia
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukraine’s main Orthodox church said on Wednesday it had decided to switch to a calendar in which Christmas is celebrated on 25th December, a move that distances it from Russia. Ukrainian Christians, a majority of whom are Orthodox, have traditionally celebrated Christmas on 7th January alongside other predominantly Orthodox Christian countries such […]
Clashes in Sudan’s capital shatter lull brought by ceasefire deal
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Clashes between rival military factions broke out on Wednesday in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, residents said, threatening to shatter a fragile ceasefire designed to allow for the delivery of aid and create conditions for a more lasting truce. The ceasefire deal, which is being monitored by Saudi Arabia and the United States […]
Pope calls for freedom of worship for Catholics in China
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis called on Wednesday for freedom of worship for Catholics in China, a religious minority that has faced historic harassment and persecution in the communist country, causing friction between the Vatican and Beijing. Francis invoked prayers during his weekly audience that the Gospel “may be preached in its fullness, beauty and […]
Priest killed in Mexico; ninth under the current administration
Mexico City, MexicoAP A Roman Catholic priest has been killed in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, the ninth killed during the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The church’s Catholic Multimedia Center identified the priest Rev Javier García Villafaña, who had been assigned to the Capacho parish in Huandacareo just one month earlier. The […]
Ukraine investigating role of Belarus in transfers of children – prosecutor
Amsterdam, The Netherlands Reuters Ukraine is investigating the alleged role of Belarus in the forced transfer of children from Russian-occupied territories, the office of the prosecutor general told Reuters on Tuesday. The announcement came in response to a report by the exiled Belarusian opposition alleging that 2,150 Ukrainian children, including orphans aged six to 15, […]
StrangeSights: Nigerian chef aims for cooking record; a (future) Queen Bee; and, in Germany, would-be spies want to stay at home…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Catholic clergy sexually abused Illinois kids far more often than church acknowledged, US state finds
Chicago, Illinois, US AP More than 450 Catholic clergy in the US state of Illinois sexually abused nearly 2,000 children since 1950, the state’s Attorney General found in an investigation released Tuesday, revealing that the problem was far worse than the church had let on. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said at a news conference that investigators found […]
Uruguayans pray for rain as capital reservoir left with 10 days of water
Montevideo, Uruguay Reuters Uruguayans in the capital Montevideo are praying for rain amid a historic drought that has left the main reservoir for the city with only ten days of water left. Low rainfall and high temperatures across the southern region of South America have triggered a severe drought over the last year, affecting crops […]
Rev Alvin Herring, head of US group Faith in Action, to retire
Washington DC, US RNS Rev Alvin Herring announced on Tuesday that he will step down next year as head of the US congregation-based organising network Faith in Action, leaving the group he has helmed for five years. “I think this is a good moment to step aside and give younger leaders a chance to lead, […]