The Latest Breaking News from Church

Spanish ombudsman set to probe church sex abuse

Spain’s prime minister wants to task the nation’s ombudsman with the country’s first official investigation into the depth of sexual abuse committed by Roman Catholic clergy

The Independent UK · Feb 6, 2022

Vintage afternoon tea aims to raise funds for Kirkcudbright Parish Church redevelopment

The congregation is aiming to raise £300,000 to transform the church interior into a multi-use community venue

Daily Record · Feb 4, 2022

Liberal cardinal calls for revised Catholic teaching on gays

A prominent liberal cardinal who leads a body representing European bishops has called for "fundamental revision" in Catholic teaching on homosexuality, and said it is wrong to fire Church workers for being gay.

Reuters · Feb 3, 2022

Critics of former pope are scapegoating him over abuse, Vatican says

The Vatican on Wednesday hit back at critics of former Pope Benedict, under scrutiny over his handling of sex abuse in Germany decades ago, accusing them of seeking a scapegoat over what should be a "collective examination" of the Church's past.

Reuters · Jan 26, 2022

Support your children if they are gay, pope tells parents

Pope Francis said on Wednesday that parents of gay children should not condemn them but offer them support.

Reuters · Jan 26, 2022

Scientology Arbitration and the First Amendment: Some Questions About Bixler v. Superior Court

Last week, the California Court of Appeal (Bixler v. Superior Court) refused to apply a broad Scientology arbitration agreement to a lawsuit brought by ex-members who claimed they were mistreated in various ways after they left the Church: Individuals have a First Amendment right to leave a religion. We hold…

Reason · Jan 25, 2022

No Arbitration of Claims Against Scientology After Plaintiffs Had Left the Church

From Bixler v. Superior Court, decided Wednesday by the California Court of Appeal (Justices Laurence Rubin, Carl Moor, and Lamar Baker): Petitioners … are former members of the Church of Scientology who reported to the police that another Church member [Daniel Masterson] had raped them. They allege that, in retaliation…

Reason · Jan 22, 2022

Conservatives defend ex pope after report but experts see legacy dented

Conservatives on Friday defended former Pope Benedict against charges of mishandling sexual abuse cases decades ago, but victim groups and experts said the findings of a German report had tarnished the legacy of one of Catholicism's most renowned theologians.

Reuters · Jan 21, 2022

Vatican website gives space to group demanding female priesthood

The Vatican has given space on its website to a Catholic group that demands the ordination of women priests during consultations ahead of a key meeting next year.

Reuters · Jan 20, 2022

William comforts grieving boy who lost his mother, saying ‘it gets easier’

William and Kate visited Church on the Street in Burnley, Lancashire, a centre that helps disadvantaged people.

The Independent UK · Jan 20, 2022