Vatican acknowledges disciplining East Timor’s Bishop Carlos Belo over alleged abuse of minors

The Vatican on Thursday acknowledged that it had secretly disciplined East Timor bishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Carlos Ximenes Belo two years ago, responding to allegations that he sexually abused boys in East Timor decades before. The Vatican acknowledgement came in response to reporters’ questions following an article this week in Dutch magazine De… Read More Vatican acknowledges disciplining East Timor’s Bishop Carlos Belo over alleged abuse of minors

Pope Francis to visit Bahrain in November for international conference

Pope Francis will visit predominantly Muslim Bahrain Nov. 3-6 to attend an international conference, the Vatican announced on Wednesday. The Vatican said the pope would visit the Gulf island country off the Arabian peninsula to take part in the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence. In 2019, Francis visited Abu Dhabi… Read More Pope Francis to visit Bahrain in November for international conference

India bans Islamic group PFI and its affiliates on terrorism grounds

India declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) Islamic group and its affiliates unlawful on Wednesday, accusing them of involvement in “terrorism” and banning them for five years, after authorities detained more than 100 PFI members this month. The PFI is yet to comment on the ban but its now-banned student wing, the Campus Front… Read More India bans Islamic group PFI and its affiliates on terrorism grounds

Indian authorities detain members of Islamic group over alleged anti-national activities

Indian authorities detained scores of members of an Islamic organisation on Tuesday, accusing them of violence and anti-national activities. The arrests follow a crackdown earlier this month on the Popular Front of India (PFI) in which about 100 people were detained. The PFI has condemned the detentions and related raids as harassment and held street… Read More Indian authorities detain members of Islamic group over alleged anti-national activities

Pope Francis berates nuclear remarks of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Pope Francis, speaking as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West he was not bluffing about possibly using nuclear weapons, said on Wednesday that thinking of such an act was “madness”. Francis also said Ukrainians were being subjected to savageness, monstrosities and torture, calling them a “noble” people being martyred. The pope, discussing his trip… Read More Pope Francis berates nuclear remarks of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Flemish Catholic bishops allow blessing of same-sex unions in defiance of Vatican ruling

Flemish Roman Catholic bishops on Tuesday issued a document effectively allowing the blessing of same-sex unions, in direct defiance of a ruling against such practices by the Vatican’s doctrinal office. The document published on the website of the Bishops’ Conference of Belgium suggested a ritual that included a prayer and a benediction for stable same-sex… Read More Flemish Catholic bishops allow blessing of same-sex unions in defiance of Vatican ruling

Six locals beheaded, Italian nun fatally shot by insurgents in northern Mozambique

At least six people were beheaded and an Italian nun killed on Tuesday by Islamic State-linked insurgents in Mozambique’s Nampula province, authorities said on Wednesday. Speaking in the resort town of Xai Xai north of the capital Maputo, President Filipe Nyusi said the insurgents unleashed a killing spree as they fled from soldiers from Mozambique,… Read More Six locals beheaded, Italian nun fatally shot by insurgents in northern Mozambique