Monthly Archives: September 2016

Francis warns journalists against libel and fear-mongering

Posted on September 22, 2016 by

[Austen Ivereigh] Journalism should never stoke social fears over forced migration nor destroy people’s lives through defamatory claims, Pope Francis said today, as he suggested three points for media to reflect on. “Few professions have as much influence on society … Continue reading →

Posted in migration/refugees, peace & reconciliation, Pope Francis, Pope Francis address

Pope gathers religious leaders to combat ‘paganism of indifference’

Posted on September 20, 2016 by

[Austen Ivereigh] The name of God cannot be used to justify violence, while “peace alone, and not war, is holy”, Pope Francis declared at the closing ceremony of yesterday’s gathering of religious leaders in Assisi, held on the 30th anniversary of … Continue reading →

Posted in interreligious dialogue, Pope Francis address | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Buenos Aires bishops’ guidelines on Amoris Laetitia: full text

Posted on September 18, 2016 by

Guidelines on implementing Amoris Laetitia written by the bishops of the pastoral area of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, have made the news recently because of their strong endorsement by Pope Francis (See Crux). The guidelines were written to help … Continue reading →

Posted in Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis | 2 Comments

Francis declares martyred priest a ‘blessed’, calls Islamist murder ‘satanic’

Posted on September 14, 2016 by

[Austen Ivereigh] Pope Francis this morning declared that the elderly French priest murdered at the altar by young men claiming allegiance to the Islamic State was a martyr who had undergone a “satanic” persecution. He also said that Father Jacques Hamel’s picture … Continue reading →

Posted in canonisations/beatifications, martyrs, terrorist attacks, Uncategorized

Why allowing Catholic schools to expand is good for us all

Posted on September 10, 2016 by

In her speech yesterday, the prime minister, Theresa May, said the government will seek to allow all schools in England to select pupils by ability, under plans that also allow grammar schools to expand. Among the announcements was a commitment to allow Catholic schools … Continue reading →

Posted in education/schools, UK Church

In his ‘final’ interview, Benedict XVI reveals enthusiasm for Francis

Posted on September 9, 2016 by

[Austen Ivereigh] “My weak point perhaps is a lack of resolve in governing and decision-making,” Benedict XVI says in a book-length interview out today in Italian and German. “Here, in reality, I am more a professor, one who reflects and … Continue reading →

Posted in pope benedict xvi

Cardinal Nichols: employers should not ask about job applicants’ prison convictions

Posted on September 6, 2016 by

[Austen Ivereigh] Employers should not ask job applicants if they have served prison sentences in order to avoid prejudicing their bids for employment, the Archbishop of Westminster has suggested. Abolishing the tick box requiring information about convictions would give ex-offenders the chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardinal Nichols, prison reform

‘Wherever people reach out, there the Church must be’: homily at canonization Mass of Mother Teresa

Posted on September 4, 2016 by

Pope Francis this morning declared Mother Teresa a saint before a huge crowd in St Peter’s Square, before going on to celebrate Mass (see report at Crux). This was his homily. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis at the Mass and Rite … Continue reading →

Posted in Mother Teresa | 1 Comment

Mother and the media: the holiness that captivated (most) reporters

Posted on September 3, 2016 by

[Austen Ivereigh] As the great river of articles and commentary now gushing forth on Mother Teresa in advance of her canonization Sunday shows, perhaps no one in the modern age – with the exception of recent popes – has managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in canonisations/beatifications, Mother Teresa, Pope Francis

Pope declares care of creation the eighth Work of Mercy

Posted on September 1, 2016 by

Pope Francis has said that the seven corporal and spiritual works of mercy can now include an eighth work of ‘care for our common home’: as a spiritual work, gratefully contemplating God’s world, and as a corporal work, performing daily … Continue reading →

Posted in Laudato Si