Woman holding a remote control © Dragon Images (shutterstock)
This Wednesday, the church relief organizations "Bread for the World" and Misereor are again asking for support for their projects around the world in the ZDF Donations Gala. The money is used to support disadvantaged people.
The lay representation in the Archdiocese of Cologne suspends its cooperation with the diocese leadership around Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. This was decided by the Diocesan Council at its plenary meeting on Thursday evening.
After the "unresolved abuse processing" the "basis for trust and credibility must first be re-established". In another resolution, the panel called on former and active members of diocesan leadership to name breaches of duty in dealing with abuse cases, regardless of legal opinions.
The ten representatives of the Diocesan Council in the archbishop's highest advisory body, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, are suspending their participation in the realignment of the archdiocese, it was reported. For these deliberations, he said, there is currently "no sufficient acceptance". Specifically, the plan here is to form about 50 to 60 large parishes out of the archdiocese's current 180 pastoral areas, with their total of about 500 mostly smaller parishes. This has met with criticism from the church base, which is why alternatives are being considered.
Symbolic image of violence against women © 271 EAK MOTO (shutterstock)
The Catholic Church in Bolivia fears increasing attacks against women and girls in the Corona pandemic. United Nations also concerned about increase in violence against women.
South African flag © Aleks Shutter (shutterstock)
In South Africa, self-proclaimed prophets are once again attracting attention – in addition to their "miracles," mainly through abuse and fraud. Now there is discussion about legal regulation of churches.
A man rides his bicycle through the destroyed city of Duma © Hummam Sheikh Ali
On the tenth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, aid organizations have warned of a further worsening of the humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies cannot replace a political solution to the conflict, he said.
Nigerian Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama has denounced growing sexual violence against women in his country. He said sex offenders inflict "indescribable trauma" on women through their "heinous" acts.
Nikola Eterovic (l.) in conversation with Cardinal Reinhard Marx (Archive) © Harald Oppitz (KNA)
Pope's ambassador Nikola Eterovic has called on the Catholic German bishops at the beginning of their spring plenary assembly to unity. At the same time he drew in his greeting the picture of a church in crisis.
In an ecumenical Passion devotion with President Manfred Rekowski, Cologne Archbishop Rainer Maria Cardinal Woelki emphasized the power of faith. With the Crucified One in view, "we can confidently face the darkness," Woelki said.