News in Activities

Ampleforth head steps aside as inspection finds more safeguarding failures

Ampleforth College is in crisis after an inspection report found it was failing to reach child protection standards, and its acting head is stepping down. The Tablet can reveal that Deirdre Rowe will be leaving after just ten months in post ... after a highly critical inspection report that found the school did not meet standards for safeguarding, leadership, behaviour, bullying and complaints handling.

Church of England publishes social media guidelines

The Church of England on Monday published its first ever set of social media guidelines aimed at encouraging a more positive atmosphere online. “Social media has transformed the way we live our lives. As Christians we are called to engage in a way which is shaped by the example of Jesus. As we respond to the call on each of us to be witnesses to Jesus Christ, I encourage all of us to consider how we live our lives as witnesses online..."

South Korean Mass for peace attracts 20,000 faithful

The Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea (CBCK) held a special Mass on June 25 at Peace World Park in Imjingak, near the demilitarized zone dividing North and South Korea.

Pope Francis was right to approve the new translation of the Lord's Prayer

Does God lead people into temptation? Not anymore, at least if you’re a Catholic in France, Spain, or - as of this week - Italy, where the Bishops’ Conference has approved (with Pope Francis’ blessing) a translation of the Our Father that wrestles the blame for sin away from God, and into the world.

Mother Teresa nuns face probe over funding allegations

“This probe seems like an attempt to harass the nuns, who work for the rejected and the neglected poor in society. The state should help them in their work rather than harassing them,” the archbishop said.

Lessons can be learned from Aeta people's organic mangoes

Fair Trade is a boon for indigenous Philippine people and for those who consume the fruits of nature and their labor. Buying the produce of the hard work of the poor for higher fair trade prices is one way to support them and reduce poverty. They struggle to survive in their remote villages without electricity, roads or nearby schools. There are few social services or government assistance to help them make a life of dignity for themselves and their children.

Mass held after Hong Kong protest turns violent

The Colloquium of Six Religious Leaders of Hong Kong, which comprises representatives of the Catholic Church, Protestant Church, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Confucius, also released a statement calling on the government and the public to seek a solution in a restrained and peaceful manner.

Europe must rediscover 'its own identity, its own unity', says Pope Francis.

Speaking on the Papal plane returning from Romania to Rome, the Pope pointed out that the global financial system, which leaves many young people unemployed and others discarded, makes it difficult for individual countries to solve problems alone. Solidarity, where poorer countries received support from wealthier ones, is vital for the common good.

New blow to Steve Bannon's plans for monastery

President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist plans to convert the former Carthusian monastery of Trisulti, near Frosinone, 47 miles south-east of Rome, into an academy for defenders of Judaeo-Christian values.

Francis approves revised translation of Italian Missal

According to the new translation, the Lord's Prayer will no longer say "and lead us not into temptation" but will become "do not let us fall/be abandoned into temptation." The Holy See no longer gives a recognitio by which it approves vernacular translations; it now gives a confirmatio that confirms decisions made by the bishops' conferences.

Preaching the truth is not enough, media-savvy priest says

New Spanish president for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

 Pope Francis has opted for continuity with Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, who died last July, in his appointment of Spanish Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot to head the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Born in Seville, Southern Spain in 1952, Bishop Ayuso discovered his religious vocation at an early age, deciding to join the Combonian missionaries, a congregation of Italian origin that is particularly active in eastern Africa.

Pope: Sport strengthens friendships, brings out best of body, mind

The pope encouraged the young people to play a sport so they can engage with others rather than isolating themselves especially through social media.

Philippines declares Virgin Mary's birthday a national holiday

"I only wish [the politicians'] apparent devotion to Mary translates into genuine service to people and actual practice of Christian values in their personal and official lives," said Benedictine nun Mary John Mananzan. Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said what the legislators did was "very inspiring and interesting good news" and spoke of the Filipino culture of being "pro-God" and "pro-mother."

Cardinal turns on the lights and raises ire of Italian politician

Back in Rome less than 24 hours after visiting refugees in camps in Greece, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski turned on some lights and found himself being threatened by Italy's deputy prime minister. Salvini said the occupants of the building owed the electric company 300,000 euros and he would be sending the cardinal the bill.

Vietnam cathedral's demolition

Architects have asked church leaders in Vietnam’s oldest diocese to conserve an iconic cathedral instead of pulling it down for a new one. But local Catholics and government authorities have backed the diocese’s plan to demolish 134-year-old Bui Chu Cathedral on May 13. Bui Chu Cathedral is as old as Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City and St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi.

Philippine church gets its very own 'Sistine Chapel

 On the island of Bantayan in the central Philippines, artists were adding the finishing touches to a mural on the ceiling of the island's old church days before Holy Week. The church's priest, Joselito Enriquez Danao in 2016, when he was assigned to the Saints Peter and Paul Parish on the island, started the concept of “dibuho kisame,” which literally means "ceiling painting."

The Month of May

In many Christian communities the month of May is especially linked to the cult of the Virgin Mary. The "prayer of flowers" is an exercise in popular piety, an invocation addressed to the Mother of Jesus: "Come, and let us all go with flowers to Mary, who is our Mother."

Philippines kicks off Catholic youth celebration

Pope calls on Asian Church radio to be 'voice of the poor'

Pope Francis has called on an Asian church-run radio station, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 11, to help build “a more just and united society". In his message to Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), the pontiff expressed hope that the station would pursue its mandate to preach the Gospel and be a "channel of love by being the voice of the poor."