AFTER a massive fire triggered a deadly explosion in Beirut, Pope Francis called for prayers and a united effort to help Lebanon overcome “this serious crisis”.” “Let us pray for the victims and their family members, and let us pray for Lebanon so that with the effort of everyone in society – political and religious – it may face this ... Read More »

HOSPITALS in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, causing widespread damage to the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. “People won’t be able to rebuild their homes, businesses, livelihoods. There are reports of hospitals ... Read More »

MARONITE Catholic priest Fr Fadi Salame was on his way to his parish church when he saw “the worst news from Beirut” –  a massive explosion had wreaked havoc on his country’s capital. The parish priest of St Maroun’s Church, Greenslopes, which caters to the Maronite community in Brisbane, watched in horror as the explosion rocked Beirut’s port and the ... Read More »

WITH Friday Islamic prayers to be recited in Hagia Sophia for the first time in 85 years, Christian leaders around the world have expressed deep regret at Turkey’s decision to change the status of the famous place of worship. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge and the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Archbishop Makarios expressed ... Read More »

BRISBANE’S evangelisation director believes a new instruction from the Vatican for the renewal of parishes will help the Church to “look, feel and sound more like Jesus”. Deacon Peter Pellicaan, of Evangelisation Brisbane, which serves parishes and communities across Brisbane archdiocese, said a new instruction issued by the Congregation for Clergy on Monday (July 20) was a “powerful vision” of ... Read More »

POPE Francis said he was “pained” by the decision to revert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque following a ruling by a Turkish court on its status. “My thoughts go to Istanbul,” Pope Francis (pictured) said while thinking of seafarers on Sea Sunday last week. “I think of Santa Sophia and I am very pained.” He made the off ... Read More »

CONCERN and frustration with delayed and failed responses to abuse scandals in Poland culminated in a desperate appeal to Pope Francis to help “rebuild our church.” More than 600 Polish lay Catholics pooled together enough money to buy an ad in an Italian newspaper at the end of June in a last-ditch effort to make sure the Pope would hear ... Read More »

SEA Sunday, celebrated on July 12, takes on an extraordinary significance this year because of the isolation experienced by seafarers unable to come ashore due to the worldwide pandemic. In Brisbane, as in ports everywhere, ships coming in to dock, carrying most of the world’s trade, have been restricted in allowing crews to step down the gang way and come ... Read More »

MONSIGNOR Georg Ratzinger, the older brother of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, died aged 96 on July 1. On July 2, Pope Francis wrote a letter of condolence to Pope Benedict, assuring him of his prayers and entrusting his late brother to God. “You had the sensitivity to be the first to inform me of the news of the death of ... Read More »