International

Priest’s unexplained expulsion from Russia fuels fears for foreign clergy

A Catholic priest was expelled from Russia without explanation, amid fears for the well-being of other clergy ministering in the country. Father Fernando Vera, a Mexican member of Opus Dei, left Russia in mid-April after being told his residence permit was revoked. Father Kirill Gorbunov, spokesman for the Russian bishops’ conference, told Catholic News Service […]

Old folks really are happier, kinder thanks to abundance of ‘love hormone’

New study reveals that people who spent much of their lives volunteering, giving to charity, or helping others have higher levels of oxytocin Seniors really are kinder than younger generations thanks to the “love hormone” released in older people’s brains, according to new re-search. People who release more of the neurochemical oxytocin are kinder to […]

Burger King in Spain Apologizes, pulls offensive Holy Week ads

The fast-food chain Burger King in Spain has with-drawn and apologized for an offensive ad campaign that sparked outrage among Catholics during Holy Week. “We apologize to all those who have felt offended by our campaign aimed at promoting our vegetable products during Holy Week. Our intention has never been to offend anyone and the […]

Kenya’s retired President Mwai Kibaki, a Catholic, dies at age 90

Emilio Stanley Mwai Kibaki, who served as president of Kenya from 2002 to 2012, died April 22. He was 90. President Uhuru Kenyatta declared a national mourning period for Kibaki, a Catholic. Details of his funeral were not announced immediately. “As we mourn this immeasurable loss, we recall with eternal gratitude President Kibaki’s patriotic journey […]

Superiors plenary to focus on synodal experience in religious life

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) is scheduled to meet in Rome May 2-6 for its 22nd Plenary Assembly which will bring together some 700 religious of 71 different nationalities. As many as 521 superiors general are expected to attend in person to discuss the theme: “Embracing Vulnerability in the Synodal Journey”. Ten key […]

Septuagenarian nun disarms man stabbing priest

A 72-year-old Catholic nun has been praised for her “extra-ordinary courage” after she sought to disarm a man stabbing a priest at a Catholic church in Nice, south-eastern France. Sister Marie-Claude reportedly intervened after a 31-year-old man entered the Saint-Pierre d’Arene church before Sunday Mass on April 24 and repeatedly stabbed Father Krzysztof Rudziñski. She […]

Priest dies from stabbing on seaside promenade in Egypt

A knife-wielding man mortally wounded a Coptic priest during an attack at the popular seaside promenade in Alexandria on April 7 evening, Egypt’s interior ministry said. The ministry said the priest died while being treated for his wounds. It said the suspected attacker had been arrested. The priest was identified by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate […]

Pope receives Hungary’s P.M. : focus on Ukrainian refugees

Pope Francis spent 40 minutes with Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, whom he received in audience on April 21 morning. The premier arrived at the Vatican shortly before 11 am, accompanied by his wife and entourage, and did not meet with other Vatican authorities due to the private nature of his visit. Orbán is on his […]

Indian bishops slam terror attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir

No action taken against police who assaulted Catholic priests in India