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Pakistan tightens its already far-reaching blasphemy laws

The parliament of Pakistan moved this week to tighten its already far-reaching blasphemy laws, under which numerous Christians and other minorities have been prosecuted and subjected to mob violence, often for dubious charges of blasphemy against beliefs or figures associated with Islam. Insulting the Prophet Muhammad is already, at least on paper, a capital offense […]

Worship places attacked, Myanmar religious leaders appeal for restraint

In the wake of rising attacks against places of worship, senior religious leaders of Myanmar have appealed for restraint citing international pacts that call for the protection of places of worship, places of learning, and places of healing. In the latest attack, a church, bell tower and other buildings of Our Lady of the Assumption […]

Losing their religion: why US churches are on the decline

Churches are closing at rapid numbers in the US, researchers say, as congregations dwindle across the country and a younger generation of Americans abandon Christianity altogether – even as faith continues to dominate American politics. As the US adjusts to an increasingly non-religious population, thousands of churches are closing each year in the country – a figure […]

Harvard scientist: The wonders of the universe point to a Creator

The wonders we see in the universe “should draw us out of ourselves,” an Ivy League scientist said last week, “looking out not just towards the wonders themselves and towards the truths they reveal, but also towards the source of all truths and the ultimate Creator of all things.” Karin Öberg, professor of astronomy and […]

Prosecution accused of fabricating witnesses for trial of Nicaraguan bishop

An exiled priest, Father Erick Díaz, and a human rights defender, attorney Yader Morazán, have charged that the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua is manipulating and “fabricating” witnesses for the trial that it is preparing against the bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando Álvarez. Díaz, who lives in exile in the United States after leaving […]

Installing women as lectors, Pope says Word of God is for all

On Jan 22, 2023 Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass mark-ing the Day of the Word of God, during which he conferred the ministry of lector on seven lay people, five of them women, and said the Gospel is intended primarily for the sick and far away. Francis formally opened the ministry of lector, along […]

German bishop dismisses Vatican concerns over a permanent synodal council

On, January 23 the president of the German Bishops’ Conference said he welcomed a new letter from the Vatican detailing concerns about the push for a permanent synodal council — a new controlling body of the Church in Germany. In a statement published on January 23, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg said the German diocesan […]