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Reformers’ ideas gain momentum in German synodal way

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Germany’s defence minister, agrees with advocates of radical change in the nation’s Roman Catholic Church. Kramp-Karrenbauer, 57, often known as “AKK” in German media, a member of the governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told journalists on Feb. 3 that she wished there were many more women in church leadership, beginning with their serving […]

How Amazon synod laid groundwork for reforms

Pope Francis was never going to fall into the trap set for him by his opponents over the Amazon Synod. His response, contrary to the initial reaction, propels the Church on a path of ongoing reform. It’s just not in the way people expected. After bishops from the region voted overwhelmingly in favour to ordained […]

Coronavirus: Holy Mass suspended in northern Italy

Several Catholic dioceses in northern Italy have suspended Mass and other activities to help contain the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus. The northern regions of Italy saw a dramatic uptick in coronavirus cases over the weekend, prompting some regions to suspend all events or gatherings of any form, in public or […]

Trump praised for raising issue of religious freedom in India

An organisation of Indian-American Christians has thanked US President Donald Trump for raising the issue of religious freedom and the plight of minorities during his talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying political tranquillity is fundamental to economic progress. The Federation of Indian American Christian organisations in North America (FIACONA) said it “truly hopes” that […]

Vatican drops ‘caste tag” of India’s new saint

As India prepares to welcome its newest saint, a controversy over his name and its relationship with the Hindu caste system has come to the fore. A Vatican decree announced a miracle had been approved for Blessed Devasahayam, clearing the way for his canonization. However, when Devasahayam was declared a Blessed in 2012, the name […]

American bishop amazed at India’s vibrant Catholicism

Earlier this year, Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville visited India to express his thanks and gratitude to the families and religious order superiors of the 11 Indian priests living and serving in his diocese. “Since I’ve been bishop, every priest from India has invited me to go to their home country and experience India […]

Forum asks bishops, superiors to oppose divisive citizenship laws

An advocacy group for progressive Catholic religious nuns, brothers and priests in India has asked top Church bodies to oppose openly laws that try to divide citizens in the country. “The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR) are divisive, discriminatory and draconian,” the Forum for […]

Cardinal Gracias: Church must ‘shed prejudice’ against women’s leadership

One of the six members of Pope Francis’ advisory Council of Cardinals has acknowledged a bias among the members of the Catholic Church’s all-male hierarchy against giving women more leadership roles, saying he and his peers must “shed this prejudice.” In an NCR interview, Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias called himself a “convert” to the cause […]