Sex, lies and now the Catholic Church has released the findings of a protracted investigation into a r-pe allegation, writes Des Ryan of InDaily.
Catholic Church
Climate scientists slam George Pell’s ‘utter rubbish’ claims
Leading climate change researchers have launched a scathing attack on a speech delivered this week by Cardinal George Pell, describing it as “dreadful”, “utter rubbish” and “flawed”., writes Graham Readfearn.
How do Catholic clubs defend their anti-pokies reform position?
The gambling industry is up in arms about the Gillard government’s proposed poker machine reforms. Clubs NSW is leading the charge but what about the Catholic clubs? asks gambling-reform blogger Tom Cummings.
In naming a priest accused, Xenophon has gone too far
Nick Xenophon’s underlying compassion for the downtrodden and the abused has never seriously been questioned. But in naming a priest accused — without proof — of rape he has gone too far, writes Des Ryan of InDaily.
Sacked bishop speaks out: Pope made a mistake, controls with fear
Australian Bishop William Morris says Pope Benedict XVI has “made a mistake” in forcing him to resign as Bishop of the diocese of Toowoomba. And there are questions about his role in speaking up for s-x-abuse victims, writes Amanda Gearing.
Daily Proposition: Exercise, religiously
There’s something very Catholic church about the gym. If you don’t fancy yourself the exercising type have no fear, says Alexandra Patrikios — just have a little faith.
Video of the Day: The topless Vatican dancers
This is a has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed video. Watch a recent performance at the Vatican, where male dancers in tight white pants take off their jackets and perform an acrobatic routine topless to Pope Benedict XVI. The nuns wave excitedly and take photos.
The other Catholic Church
There’s the Catholic Church that hogs the headlines, covers up sex-abuse claims and fights against condom-use. And then there’s the Catholic Church full of nuns caring for HIV patients in forgotten villages across the globe, writes Jo Chandler.
Christians under attack from homosexuals
It’s bemusing that a Cardinal of the Catholic Church under attack for child abuse of a homosexual kind chooses to attack the gay rights movement but that is what Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, the retired archbishop of Bologna, has chosen to do, explains Richard Farmer.
There’s something about Mary, but what about the other holy five?
It took just one minute and 100 words to crown Saint Mary of the Cross, but everywhere you turn this morning the nation has gone mad with Mary MacKillop fever. Forget the Commonwealth Games, the media have found a new ‘golden girl’ to applaud. But what about the other holy five?
The MacKillop industry ramps up
The media, the Church and politicians are all doing very well to exploit MacKillop in ways she could never have imagined.
Vatican: washing away €23 million worth of sins
Further trouble for the Catholic Church, with Italian authorities seizing a whopping €23 million from a Vatican Bank account, amid allegations of money-laundering.
Should Catholic priests ditch the celibacy rule?
Over 1,000 children in the UK alone are estimated to have been fathered by Catholic priests. One of them explains what was like growing up with his father’s identity kept secret.
Legal action, and internal strife, over ABC Archbishop reports
Controversy continues to swirl around the recent Media Watch story that wasn’t — a planned probe into two ABC Lateline “special investigations” that suggested the Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson had covered up paedophile priests. Andrew Crook investigates.
Vatican rates Pope Joan pic a must miss
The Vatican enjoys indulging in a spot of film criticism from time to time, and the verdict is in for a new production depicting a female pontiff in the nineteenth century: avoid.
How to become a saint
When he’s not coping with church abuse scandals, Pope Benedict XVI loves canonizing saints. But what does one have to do to join the sainthood? Apparently it’s about more than just miracles.
Dear Pope Benedict: we would like to keep shagging priests
Forty Italian women who have had relationships with Catholic priests have written an open letter to the Pope, calling for the Vatican to scrap its policy on celibacy for priests.
Father Marcial Maciel: Mexico’s most notorious pedophile priest
Powerful Mexican priest Marcial Macielmay have died two years ago, but his life is suddenly getting a lot of attention in Mexico’s newspapers: with new revelations of child sexual abuse, bigamy, drug abuse and plagiarism being uncovered every day.
Holy real estate prices: how churches make money
Churches aren’t just selfless, religious organisations. If the Mormon church was a company, it would make the Fortune 500 list, while the Catholic Church owns more real estate globally than anyone else.
Plain-talkin’ Pell to get a promotion
Word is that Aussie Cardinal George Pell is about to be appointed as the Vatican’s head prefect, putting him in charge of 5000 Bishops worldwide. Heads will roll, predicts Damian Thompson.
Can all the celebrity atheists please shut up?
Pope Benedict XVI is being crucified over the sexual abuse scandals, when he’s the Pope who’s made the biggest attempts to rid the Catholic Church of abuse, writes Mary Elias.
Catholic priests on what it’s like to live without sex
The Catholic Church sex abuse scandals have stirred up the old debates about whether it’s actually healthy — or even possible — to live a life of celibacy. Current and former priests weigh in.
Here’s a crazy idea: What if the Pope is innocent?
How much actual evidence is there against Pope Benedict? None at all. Sure lots of people, including many Catholics, dislike the Pope. But being unpopular is not a crime, writes Paul Mees.
An interview with the Pope’s US lawyer
What’s it like being the advocate for the man who is supposed to be God’s representative on Earth? And what happens when he’s caught up in a worldwide sex abuse cover-up scandal? Meet Jeffrey Lena: the California litigator who may have one of the worst jobs on the planet.
Noonan: How to save the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is not beyond salvation, argues Peggy Noonan, but it will take a new culture of openness and repentance, and a new generation of priests and nuns, to do it.
