New Caledonia closes airport, imposes curfew after violence
Wellington, New Zealand Reuters New Caledonia mobilised security forces, closed its international airport and imposed a curfew in the capital after protests turned violent and police were attacked, the French High Commission said on Tuesday. A view of burnt cars in the aftermath of protests, ahead of a debate in the French National Assembly on […]
Tornado rips steeple off Pennsylvania church during worship service
Finleyville, Pennsylvania, US RNS At first, Rev Ken Barner thought it was the sound system. Tucked in a back room just behind the sanctuary of Crossroads Ministries, Barner was preparing to enter the stage for the evening service on Saturday, when he heard what sounded like a freight train. Then the lights flickered and Barner […]
Blocked last year for his views on sexuality, theologian gets green light to head academy
Vatican City RNS Nearly a year after the Vatican blocked an Italian theologian’s candidacy to become the dean of an influential German and Italian academy due to his progressive writings on sexuality and gender, the Vatican finally approved of his appointment without comment, according to the theologian. “The reasons why the decision was revised were […]
North Macedonian President’s inauguration revives name dispute with Greece
Athens, Greece Reuters Greece threatened on Monday to hinder North Macedonia’s bid to join the EU after newly elected President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova called her country just “Macedonia” during a speech, reviving a long-running dispute over the name. Siljanovska-Davkova – who got backing from a resurgent nationalist party in last week’s vote – referred to the […]
In Mali, thousands replaster the Great Mosque of Djenne, under threat from conflict
Djenne, Mali AP Thousands of Malians carrying buckets and jugs of mud joined the annual replastering of the world’s largest mud-brick building this weekend, a key ritual that maintains the integrity of the Great Mosque of Djenne in the centre of the country. The building has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list since […]
Nigerian gunmen seek talks after abducting dozens, families say
Lagos, Nigeria Reuters Gunmen who abducted 105 people in north-west Nigeria last week are not after ransom payments but negotiations with the Zamfara state government, five families of the victims who were contacted by the armed men said on Monday. Armed gangs continue to terrorise northern Nigeria, abducting villagers, students and motorists for ransom. The […]
Collapsed Baltimore bridge blasted into pieces in effort to clear wreckage
Chicago/Longmont, Colorado, US Reuters US crews in Baltimore set off controlled explosions on Monday to allow them to remove a portion of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from the bow of the massive container ship that toppled the span in March. The detonations were meant to break the bridge’s truss into small sections, enabling […]
EU countries approve law to slash trucks’ CO2 emissions
Brussels, Belgium Reuters European Union countries gave their final approval on Monday to a law to cut carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, which will require most new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the EU from 2040 to be emissions-free. The law will enforce a 90 per cent cut in CO2 emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles by […]
Suffering
Suffering is probably the greatest challenge to Christian faith. Reconciling the deep pain of life, with the deep love of God, is difficult. PICTURE: Diana Vargas/Unsplash The cross of Christ seems to me to be the best, perhaps only place, where these things can be reconciled. On the cross, the deep pain of life – […]
Downsizing church: Baltimore Catholic parish closures a “punch in the stomach” with long-term impact
In the US, parish closures in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese are part of a nationwide trend of dioceses restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages. ALEJA HERTZLER-MCCAIN, of Religion News Service, reports…