'The Holy Father asks that we join in prayer that they may find God's consolation and love,' the Vatican said in a statement
A spokesman said it was ‘the Vatican putting Laudato Si into action’
The dramatic figures are still an improvement on 2015, when 180,000 left the Church
The Cardinal also said the decline of faith in Germany was ‘dramatic’
‘The Holy Father asks that we join in prayer that they may find God’s consolation and love,’ the Vatican said in a statement
The parents made their decision following the latest medical reports and scans
Justine Greening, who is also Education Secretary, said major faiths should follow public opinion on the subject
Equalities Minister Justine Greening says people will no longer need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria
The Government had promised to abolish an ‘admissions cap’ that forces new Catholic schools to violate Canon Law
Church leaders asked to ensure the ‘Sinicisation of religion’
Morning Catholic must-reads: 25/07/17
Pope Francis prays for Charlie Gard as parents end legal fight
Traditionalists reject Cardinal Sarah’s liturgical reconciliation plan – but that’s not a…
In the Communion debate, the cogent arguments are all on one side
How can we teach the sadly neglected Athanasian Creed? – I have a novel idea
Like him or not, Richard Dawkins has a right to offend
The professor has been given a free pass on Christianity, yet is ‘no-platformed’ over Islam
How can we teach the sadly neglected Athanasian Creed? – I have a novel idea
The Athanasian Creed includes the most useful statement of the orthodox understanding of the Trinity we have
Traditionalists reject Cardinal Sarah’s liturgical reconciliation plan – but that’s not a problem
What matters most is the enrichment of the Novus Ordo, which can happen independently of any changes to the Old Rite
In the Communion debate, the cogent arguments are all on one side
The arguments against the Church’s perennial teaching are not impressive
The heart-rending dilemmas of an atheist brain surgeon
Neurosurgeon Henry Marsh finds it difficult having to ‘play God’, but also says the human mind is ‘as great a mystery as the universe itself’
Why Cardinal Sarah’s liturgical ‘reconciliation’ plan won’t work
The cardinal’s plan is well intentioned, but the new lectionary and calendar would be too confusing if applied to the Old Rite
The cycling legend and devout Catholic who risked his life to protect Jews
Gino Bartali won the Tour de France twice and defied Mussolini. He also helped a cardinal to save Jewish lives in the 1940s
Can Catholics still create great art? One man is showing the way
Maltese artist Manuel Farrugia shows we shouldn’t write off Catholic art just yet
What Father Brown can teach us about the Ten Commandments
Detective stories are generally seen as leisure reading for a mind at rest; not so this new compilation from Ignatius Press
Is it too easy to become a saint?
Critics say that a new path to canonisation lowers the bar, but it is less revolutionary than they think
These two books on gay Catholics are a missed opportunity
Fr James Martin and Daniel Mattson miss out some of the main struggles facing LGBT Catholics
Conservative Anglicans are close to despair. Is the CofE about to split?
As an Anglican, I used to think theological liberalism was on the wane. Not any more