Saint Augustine by Ermes Dovico

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

END OF LIFE

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.

DIPLOMACY

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.

INTERVIEW/ FR. IELPO

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 XIVs visit to the Rimini Meeting. He identified the fundamental task of Christians in a world that hungers and thirsts for justiceas 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 unimpresa, (Prophecy of an Enterprise) it is a prophecy that still has much to say in the era of Magnifica Humanitas.

Leo XIV is due to speak today at the Meeting for Friendship amongst Peoples. Forty-four years after John Paul IIs visit, the Meeting has undergone various changes linked to the ups and downs of CL. Yet it remains the foremost Catholic cultural event. This is something that Prevost recognises, being convinced – as Wojtyła was – that Catholics must play a leading role in society.

GERMANY

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.

CHURCH

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?

MEANING OF THE DOGMA

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.

INTERVIEW / POLONIA CASTELLANOS

‘An invasion is taking place in Ceuta, and Catholics will bear the brunt of it.’

Spain is facing an invasion, and it is the Catholics who are bearing the brunt of it because religious persecution is intensifying.The Daily Compass interviews Polonia Castellanos, president of Christian Lawyers. Sánchez is responsible. He needs millions of North African voters to prop up his corrupt government. And we Christians are already paying the price.'