There will be a state funeral in Serbia for war criminal Ratko Mladić, who died in an international prison in The Hague. Mass demonstrations are hailing him as a hero. It demonstrates that, more than 30 years after the end of the conflict, there has been no process of reconciliation.
Italian bishops' daily confirms the demise of morality
Avoiding divisive rhetoric on ethical issues and building 'spaces of freedom for conscience', while naturally setting doctrine aside, is a transformation that has been underway for some time. It is now openly declared in the Italian bishops' daily newspaper, Avvenire, by the leaders of the Italian Theological Association for the Study of Morality. Even the Commandments are deemed too ideological and extreme
Euthanasia in France: conscientious objectors achieve well-deserved victory
The French Constitutional Council has upheld conscientious objection whilst confirming the unjust law that was forced through by Macron. This outcome was by no means guaranteed, thanks in part to the efforts of the French bishops, who have courageously and expertly defended non-negotiable principles in parliament.
Ukraine: Vatican paves way for dialogue with Moscow
The Holy See seems to be the only entity that realises the risks of a slow slide towards open war between the West and Russia. Accordingly, the Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Gallagher, is in Moscow, where he met Foreign Minister Lavrov yesterday to discuss the possibility of negotiations.
Loving the Holy Land, where Christians are nailed to the cross
‘An endless Good Friday, yet redemption has already taken place’: this is how the Custos of the Holy Land describes the situation of Christians tested by three years of war to the Daily Compass. Together with the parish priest of Gaza, he brought to the Meeting for friendship among Peoples in Rimini, Italy, the testimony of a living Church amidst new challenges and sufferings.
An atmosphere of celebration and great enthusiasm accompanied Leone XIV’s visit to the Rimini Meeting. He identified the fundamental task of Christians in a world ‘that hungers and thirsts for justice’ as the ability to create opportunities for encounter with everyone, starting from faith.
He was a giant of social doctrine, revolutionising relations with his factory workers and one of the inspirers of Rerum Novarum. Léon Hamel is the subject of one of the two exhibitions that Leo XIV will visit in Rimini which brings him out of obscurity. Entitled Profezia di un’impresa, (Prophecy of an Enterprise) it is a prophecy that still has much to say in the era of Magnifica Humanitas.
SAFE: EU needs a strong defence, not a war economy.
Lourdes: the Pope arrives and Rupnik disappears
Lebanon: Israel chooses feast of Assumption for new attacks
Despite the ceasefire contained in the June agreement, Israeli forces launched a new offensive against Lebanon on 15 and 16 August. This was in retaliation for the wounding of three IDF soldiers, and caused several deaths.
Tepid reply from Rome to Hamburg bishop’s 'diversity' guidelines for Catholic schools
The Dicastery for Culture and Education has sided with parents who oppose the sexual 'diversity' guidelines imposed by Bishop Hesse on Catholic schools in the German archdiocese. It is just a few lines long, due but necessary. The project must be stopped before it becomes operational.
Calls for Pope to stop new synodality increase
The open letter from Dutch bishop Mutsaerts is the latest initiative to call on Pope Francis to halt the numerous reckless moves by bishops who, under the pretext of synodality, are distorting Catholic doctrine. The fundamental question that must be answered is: what is the Church?
The Assumption of Mary, a sign of the triumph of the new Eve
In the papal bull containing the solemn dogmatic definition of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, body and soul, Pius XII explains that this truth is linked to the unique decree of predestination by which the Blessed Virgin is the 'Partner of the Divine Redeemer', the new Eve. Together, they triumphed over sin and death; together they reign in glory.