Brussels, Mar 12, 2020: Belgian Catholic churches have suspended public services until next month for fear of spreading the coronavirus, the council of bishops announced March 12. At the same time, the Great Mosque of Brussels cancelled Friday prayers and smaller Muslim places of worship were advised to follow localContinue Reading
Daegu (South Korea), Mar 12, 2020: Behind a closed metal gate and a sign barring entry to outsiders, dozens of religious sect members are quarantined in a social housing complex in Daegu, the epicentre of South Korea”s coronavirus outbreak. Painted in faded pastel tones and reserved for young, poor women,Continue Reading
Canberra, March 11, 2020: The High Court of Australia on March 11 heard Cardinal George Pell’s final bid to get sexual abuse verdict quashed. The former Vatican treasurer is serving a six-year jail sentence after a jury found he abused two boys in a Melbourne cathedral in the 1990s. PellContinue Reading
Beijing, China, Mar 11, 2020: The Chinese government’s campaign to develop “religion with Chinese characteristics” has increased persecution of the country’s Christians, the human rights watchdog ChinaAid has said. A 53-page report released Feb. 28 by the Texas-based NGO accuses Chinese officials of destroying churches, imposing strict regulations on religion,Continue Reading
Vatican City, March 7, 2020 : The Vatican said Pope Francis will deliver Sunday’s Angelus Prayer by livestream instead of in person from his window overlooking Saint Peter’s Square out of concern over the new coronavirus. “The prayer will be broadcast via livestream by Vatican News and on screens inContinue Reading
By Hannah Brockhaus Castelvetro di Modena, Italy, Mar 6, 2020: As Italy weathers the spread of coronavirus, residents of one village appeared to witness their own version of the miracle at the Wedding at Cana. Turning on their faucets Wednesday morning, several Italians discovered their water had been changed toContinue Reading
Palestinian officials on Thursday closed the storied Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem indefinitely over fears of the new coronavirus, weeks ahead of the busy Easter holiday season. The announcement by the Palestinian tourism ministry threatened to devastate the vital tourism industry in the town whereContinue Reading
Vatican City, March 2, 2020: Pope Francis is calling on Catholics to participate in “Laudato si’ Week” in May to encourage care for our common home. “I renew my urgent call to respond to the ecological crisis. The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor cannot waitContinue Reading
Vatican City, March 1, 2020: Pope Francis has established a task force “in order to assist the Episcopal Conferences in the preparation and updating of guidelines for the protection of minors.” The intention to form such a group had already been announced by the Pope at last year’s Meeting forContinue Reading
Vatican City, Feb 28, 2020: Pope Francis has cancelled an event at a Rome basilica but is carrying out the rest of his schedule in his residence, the Vatican said on February 27. “He preferred to remain in the area close to Santa Marta,” the Vatican guesthouse where he lives,Continue Reading
