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Catholic Churchi

The Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world, and with more than one billion members worldwide, it is the largest Christian church. Its history spans almost 2,000 years and is rooted in the Church's Canon of Scripture and Tradition. At the head of the church is the Pope, who Catholics believe is the successor to Saint Peter whom Christ appointed as the first head of His church. The Pope, according to the religion's doctrine, can speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals. The Catholic Church practises closed communion and only baptised members of the church are permitted to receive the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. 

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Both Rome and Beijing have bigger things to worry about than a deal on mutually acceptable bishops especially as Hong Kong’s top Catholic cleric travels to meet mainland counterpart.

Newly appointed Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan, a Jesuit, has avoided political controversies and is exactly what the Vatican needs in Hong Kong.

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Pope Francis has made his clearest remarks yet on gay relationships, saying they should be legally protected in the form of a civil union. While this should not be confused with recognising same-sex marriages, critics cannot deny that progress has been made.

Despite pressure from the US and criticism that the agreement has so far achieved little, any move towards what supporters hope will be an eventual reconciliation is good for both sides.

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  • Ukraine’s president, top diplomat push back at Pope’s ‘white flag’ remarks
  • Russia’s military offensive in neighbouring Ukraine is now in its third year

O’Connor joins a growing list of artists who have objected to Trump using their songs, including Rihanna, Neil Young, Linkin Park, the late Tom Petty and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

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While the Catholic leaders stood with the Philippines’ fishing folk, they stressed that armed conflict over the hotly-contested sea was not a “moral option”.

Alvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa, criticised the government’s deadly response to mass protests in 2018. He was convicted of treason and sentenced to a 26-year prison term earlier this year.

The death of the Irish musician, best known for her cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans and celebrities worldwide.

The Mystical Passion, published in 1998, has graphic descriptions of male and female sexual anatomy and desire, pornography, and the role of pleasure in God’s mystical plan.

Many Filipinos believe the icon, which draws hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful, has miraculous powers and that touching it can heal previously incurable ailments and bring good fortune.

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Francis celebrated his birthday with cake during a festive audience with children on Sunday morning and there were “Happy Birthday” banners in St Peter’s Square during his weekly noon blessing.

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Seven more people were wounded by gunfire as they tried to protect others, according to a statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Angelo Becciu is the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, in a case that exposed intrigue in the highest echelons.

For activists from Mexico’s Catholics for the Right to Decide, prayer does not conflict with their fight for abortion access or support for LGBTQ rights.

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Poland’s parliament backed Donald Tusk to become prime minister, ending eight years of nationalist rule and putting the country on track for a thawing of relations with the European Union.

‘The soldiers of the caliphate detonated an explosive device on a large gathering of Christians ... in the city of Marawi,’ Islamic State said in a statement on its Telegram channels.

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Bishop Joseph Li is on ‘reciprocal visit’, the first by Beijing’s top Catholic cleric since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, following counterpart’s trip to capital.

Government says Catholic leaders’ petition calling for release of Jimmy Lai is ‘misleading and slanderous’ and accused the clerics of undermining rule of law.

Report is critical the Catholic Church’s attitude, calling its response to cases of child abuse involving the clergy “insufficient”, and recommending the creation of a state fund for victims.

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In recent years, Canada’s treatment of its indigenous peoples has come under scrutiny. The discovery of indigenous children’s graves in 2021 prompted rebukes of the Catholic Church and the government.

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Francis made his opinion known in one answer to five questions from five conservative cardinals from Asia, Europe, Africa, the US and Latin America, including Joseph Zen, the retired archbishop of Hong Kong.

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‘Relations with China are very respectful, very. I have a great admiration for the Chinese people,’ the pope told reporters on his flight back to Rome on Monday.

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The pontiff says Mongolia’s tradition of living in harmony with nature and its creatures ‘can contribute significantly’ to efforts to protect Earth.