Posts By Date - Catholic Herald

July 19, 2019

We generally like to think we are better read than we actually are. I have been swiftly disabused of this particular illusion on reading Roy Peachey’s sparkling and erudite little volume: 50 Books for Life: A Concise guide to Catholic Literature (Second Spring/Angelico Press). Apart from the 19th-century English novel, I have huge gaps in

Faggioli brands Chaput, Cordileone and Strickland ‘devout schismatics’

July 19, 2019

A Church historian at Philadelphia’s Villanova University has said three U.S. bishops are “devout schismatics” who try to diminish the authority of Pope Francis. “They are devout in the sense that they publicly display their preference for a traditionalist Church and its devotions, such as the rosary. They are schismatics because they openly promote the

UK Parliament ‘hijacking’ Northern Ireland on abortion, bishops say

July 19, 2019

The bishops of Northern Ireland noted their alarm Wednesday at the British parliament’s passage of a bill that will legalize abortion and same-sex marriage in the region, highlighting the value of human life and the importance of devolution. The House of Lords approved the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill July 17. It had passed the

New study suggests link between autism and gender dysphoria

July 19, 2019

A new study suggests a link between autism, autistic traits, and identifying as transgender or non-binary, raising new questions about the growing use of so-called “gender transition” procedures as a treatment for gender dysphoria. The study, which was released July 14 and will appear in the September issue of the academic journal European Psychiatry, was led

Religious persecution is a global problem, Pence and Pompeo tell religious freedom gathering

July 19, 2019

Religious persecution is a concern for the entire global community, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a religious freedom gathering on Thursday. “We’re gathered here, 106 nations strong, because we believe in the freedom of conscience—the right of all people to live out their lives according to their deeply held

UK government considering sanctions for religious freedom violators

July 19, 2019

UK Ambassador to the Holy See Sally Axworthy said this week that the UK government will consider a recommendation to impose sanctions on foreign governments that violate religious freedom. “The Foreign Secretary … has said that we will look at imposing sanctions on people who commit violations of freedom of religion and belief, as we

DC priest: celibacy allows a priest to give himself for others

July 19, 2019

Commentators and critics, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, have in recent months called for an end to the discipline of priestly celibacy, especially in the wake of revelations of widespread historical sexual abuse in the United States, and in response to a perceived dearth of priests in some parts of the world. “We cannot bring about

For the first time, a non-journalist is Director of the Vatican Press Office

July 19, 2019

Pope Francis on Thursday tapped a long-time logistics coordinator to serve as the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, ending the interim appointment of Alessandro Gisotti, effective Monday, July 22. Gisotti will now be vice-Editorial Director under Andrea Tornielli at the Dicastery for Communication, along with another old hand at the former

Planned Parenthood’s firing of Dr Wen shows the stark choice facing America

July 19, 2019

In a letter to colleagues, Dr Leana Wen explained she was stepping down as president of the largest abortion provider in America “because of philosophical differences about the direction and future of Planned Parenthood.” Wen wanted to lead an organization that sounded more like the glossy brochure in the reception area, focused more on reproductive

Morning Catholic must-reads: 19/07/19

July 19, 2019

The Vatican has denied interfering in the debate over General Franco’s tomb. Priests have gone on hunger strike in protest against Cardinal George Alencherry. A priest and a nun will stand trial for murder in Kerala on August 5. The relationship between the United States and the Holy See is “strong and solid”, Vatican Archbishop