VATICAN CITY (RNS) The wide-ranging papal document on the Catholic Church and modern-day families that the Vatican released on Friday (April 8) was expected to be the culmination of a two-year gantlet of unusually frank discussions — a chance for Pope Francis to finally settle the fierce debates, and even dark warnings of schism, that his effort to open dialogue on contentious topics had unleashed. Source
Category: Rome
Bernie Sanders, ‘a big fan’ of Pope Francis, to attend Vatican conference
Vatican City, Apr 8, 2016 / 12:25 pm (Pope Francis: Martyrs are still the ‘life blood of the Church’
.- Pope Francis on Thursday praised the consistency and courage of the modern day martyrs who continue to “carry the Church forward” even as they face death for their witness to the Risen Christ. Source
Over 26,000 Sign Petition Calling Upon Catholic University to Cancel ‘Hyper-Sexualized Drag Show’
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Over 26,000 people have signed a petition calling upon a Roman Catholic university in California to cancel a “hyper-sexualized drag show,” the fifth of its kind at the Catholic-based educational institution. Source
Pope to meet senior Methodists during launch of new ecumenical office in Rome
Pope Francis and senior Methodist representatives from around the world will take part in a series of events to mark the opening of the new Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome (MEOR). Source.
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CHINA NOW REGULATES WHO CAN BE REINCARNATED
China, in one of the most ludicrous displays of totalitarianism in history, has restricted Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without permission from the government. Based on a statement that was given from the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the ruling, which will be applicable as of March 2015, stringently states the processes an individual must follow in order to reincarnate is “an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation.” Source
Mexico: Evangelical Christian beaten and imprisoned after he refused to convert to Catholicism
A Christian man was beaten and imprisoned in Mexico in what has been described as “the latest instance in a long trend of persecution”. Lauro Nunez, from Chachalacas in the Oaxaca region, was attacked by a mob on Easter Monday as he attempted to return to his village to visit his family. He had previously been expelled from his home for his evangelical Christian faith. Source
PRIEST ABUSE: Altoona, PA scandal fallout hits community
ALTOONA, Pa. — A grand jury report that found two former bishops helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by more than 50 priests in a Pennsylvania diocese has prompted a sitting judge to resign from a Catholic school board and the current bishop to remove cathedral banners that celebrate former bishops. Source
Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby discuss ways of working for unity
Pope Francis met on Monday with the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, saying he hoped their meeting would serve to “strengthen further our bonds of friendship and our commitment to the great cause of reconciliation and communion between Christian believers.” Source