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Church credibility ruined by silent hypocrisy, sister tells summit

The hypocrisy of Catholic leaders who claimed to be guardians of morality yet remained silent about clerical sexual abuse has left the church’s credibility in shambles, an African woman religious told bishops at the Vatican summit on abuse. “Yes, we proclaim the Ten Commandments and ‘parade ourselves’ as being the custodians of moral standards values and […]

Secrecy Must ‘Go out the Window’ Irish Archbishop says

When it comes to the abuse of children by members of the clergy, using secrecy to hide problems rather than protect victims “must go out the window,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Northern Ireland. “Let’s put secrecy aside,” Archbishop Martin told journalists on Feb. 23. “Secrecy has been one of the root causes of […]

Polish nun ‘silenced’ for speaking out on abuse

A church source told The Tablet “urgent internal enquiries” were underway to establish how the interview with Mother Jolanta Olech, secretary general of the Conference of Higher Superiors of Female Religious Orders, was run by the church’s official Catholic Information Agency, KAI. The source, who asked not to be identified, added that Poland’s Catholic bishops […]

Bishops must see press as allies, not enemies, Mexican journalist says

If they are truly serious about fighting clerical sex abuse, bishops must join forces with journalists and not view them as enemies plotting against the Catholic Church, Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki said. Alazraki, who has covered the Vatican for over four decades, told bishops at the Vatican summit on abuse Feb. 23 that journalists can […]

Thirty six per cent of Anglican congregations have no parishioners under 16-years-old

36 percent of Anglican congregations have no parishioners under 16-years-old, the Church of England has revealed. Describing the situation as “shocking” Canon Mark Russell, chief executive of the Church Army, told the Church’s General Synod that only 6% of Anglican Churches have more than 25 under 16-year-olds. The new figures came during the Synod debate […]

Superiors of male and female religious institutes in support of Pope Francis and the meeting on the protection of minors

Superiors of male and female religious institutes around the world have drawn up a Declaration in support of Pope Francis and the meeting on the protection of minors that will take place in the Vatican from 21 to 24 February, for presidents of episcopal conferences. The text of the Declaration was released by the Holy […]

Archbishop Coleridge: ‘Copernican revolution’ needed to tackle abuse

The Catholic Church needs a true conversion that places survivors, and not the institution, as the focus of its concern as it enacts measures to combat the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable people, said Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane. Like Nicolaus Copernicus’ discovery that the earth revolves around the sun, the church is […]

DUTCH CATHOLICS ATTEMPT TO STOP CATHEDRAL SALE

Dutch Catholics are protesting plans to close Utrecht’s historic St Catherine’s Cathedral, which is to be put up for sale by the archdiocese, citing spiralling costs and falling attendance. “Closing this cathedral will remove Catholicism’s visibility in the inner city and prevent any community growth in future – Catholic Utrecht isn’t ready to be confined to […]