Rome: One of the less documented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the impact of lockdowns, uncertainties and restrictions on the mental health of the millions who’ve had a first-hand experience of the virus, either due to the loss of a loved one, as first responders or as newlyContinue Reading
It’s emerged ministers from Church of Scotland partner churches in India are asking for prayers as they battle a deadly second wave of Covid-19. The Church of Scotland is sending a £5,000 emergency grant to the Church of South India to support their efforts to help people. Rev Moumita Biswas,Continue Reading
When the Easter livestream of Pope Francis’ general audience and the Angelus was broadcast for the first time in American Sign Language on the Vatican’s YouTube channel, the deaf Catholic ministry group in Texas took particular notice. Redemptorist Father Len Broniak, chaplain and program director of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’sContinue Reading
San Francisco: The Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore J. Cordileone, released on May 1, 2021 a pastoral letter about the worthiness required for the reception of Holy Communion in which he insisted that any Catholic cooperating with the evil of abortion should refrain from receiving the Eucharist. “It is fundamentallyContinue Reading
Jerusalem: Hundreds of Christian worshippers made use of Israel”s easing of coronavirus restrictions May 1, packing a Jerusalem church revered as the site of Jesus” crucifixion and resurrection for an ancient fire ceremony a day before Orthodox Easter. The faithful gathered at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, waiting forContinue Reading
Vatican City: Pope Francis prayed a rosary Saturday for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, imploring the Virgin Mary to intercede for healing for the sick, comfort for the grieving, and hope for the future. “Mother of Help, welcome us under your mantle and protect us, sustain us in theContinue Reading
Karen: Thousands of ethnic Karen villagers in Myanmar are poised to cross into Thailand if, as expected, fighting intensifies between the Myanmar army and Karen insurgents, joining those who have already escaped the turmoil that followed a Feb. 1 coup. Karen rebels and the Myanmar army have clashed near theContinue Reading
Vatican City: Pope Francis on April 30 amended part of a law issued last year regulating Vatican City’s judicial system, now allowing the court of first instance to rule on criminal trials of bishops and cardinals. The law previously said that cardinals and bishops could only be judged by theContinue Reading
According to multiple news reports this week, a Catholic priest in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, has been using his pulpit to spread deadly conspiracy theories about masks and vaccines. On Palm Sunday, Fr James Altman preached that COVID-19 health guidelines are “godless, Nazi-esque controls,” telling parishioners, “Let us be clear: God damnsContinue Reading
Meron: A massive stampede at a densely packed Jewish pilgrimage site on April 30 killed at least 44 people in northern Israel, with rescue workers facing chaotic crowds while trying to evacuate the injured. The disaster occurred in Meron at the site of the reputed tomb of Rabbi Shimon BarContinue Reading