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Hermits excommunicated after accusing Pope of heresy

Three hermits living on an Orkney island in Scotland have been excommunicated from the Church after accusing Pope Francis of heresy. The Black Hermits of West-ray in Orkney – Fr Stephen de Kerdrel, Sister Colette Roberts and Brother Damon Kelly – received notice of their excommunication from the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles on […]

Seasoned musician inspires people to sing, raise voices ‘in honour of God’

With the start of the new year, a seasoned Philadelphia musician is taking on a new challenge as director of the Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir. Tonya Taylor-Dorsey was appointed to the post by the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s Office for Black Catholics, effective Jan. 1. Established for the 2014 World Meeting of Families, the ensemble features […]

Update: Retired pope, Vatican cardinal write book defending priestly celibacy

Since marriage and priesthood both demand the total devotion and self-giving of a man to his vocation, “it does not seem possible to realize both vocations simultaneously,” retired Pope Benedict XVI said in a new book. “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” a defense of priestly celibacy, has an introduction and conclusion written jointly by […]

Pope urges US and Iran to show restraint amid growing tensions

Pope Francis has lamented the “terrible air of tension” in the world warning that war only brings “death and destruction.” Francis remarks come days after the United States’ assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, and a pledge by Tehran to take “severe revenge.” In a series of tweets overnight, President Donald Trump says […]

UK prime minister calls for solidarity with persecuted Christians

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a call of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world during a Christmas video released on December 24. “I want us to remember those Christians around the world who are facing persecution. For them, Christmas Day will be marked in private, in secret, perhaps even in a prison […]

Iraqi cardinal: Innocents will ‘be the fuel’ for fire after drone strike

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako, responding to a U.S. drone attack in Baghdad that killed Iran’s top general, said “wisdom is required to avoid the ‘volcanic eruption’ we are about to face.” Speaking during the Epiphany Mass in Baghdad on Jan. 6, he said the current crisis resulted from the “upsetting escalation, as well as […]

Nigerian diocesan spokesman: Bridal party beheaded en route to wedding

Father Francis Arinse, communications director of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, confirmed that a bride-to-be, Martha Bulus, and her bridal party were beheaded on Dec. 26 at Gwoza, in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State. Arinse told Catholic News Service that Bulus and her companions were traveling from Maiduguri to her on Dec. 31 wedding when they were killed. […]

Top court’s education order upsets Indian Church officials

India’s Supreme Court has allowed the government to control the appointment of teachers in educational institutions run by religious minorities, a ruling Church leaders say violates their right to manage such institutions. The country’s top court on Jan. 6 upheld a West Bengal State law that allowed a government commission to screen candidates to be appointed […]