India’s COVID deaths soar past 200,000 (Vatican News) India’s death toll from Covid-19 crossed the grim landmark of 200,000 cases on Wednesday, the deadliest so far, as the country continues to struggle against acute shortages in oxygen, medical supplies, vaccines, beds and hospital personnel. In the last 24 hours, India registered 360,960 new cases, the world’s single-day highest, taking the total to nearly 18 million. With 3,293 new deaths, the total number of fatalities rose to 201,187…
Pope Francis initiates anti-corruption law aimed at Curia (CNA) As part of a sweeping new anti-corruption law, Pope Francis on Thursday declared that officials of the Roman Curia should no longer accept personal gifts with a monetary value over 40 euros (about $50). The new rule appears to be an effort to quash the Vatican “envelope” culture, in which large monetary donations are made to bishops and cardinals working in the Roman Curia. These gifts have been blamed for contributing to corruption in the Church when they were used between high-level Church officials to seek favors, most notably in cases like that of ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick…
Bishop-elect improving, says “I’ll be with you” (CNA) The Bishop-Elect of Rumbek, who is in a Nairobi hospital recovering from gunshot injuries, sought on Tuesday to reassure his local Church that he is out of danger, and that he plans to return to the South Sudanese diocese. In an April 27 ACI Africa video recording from his hospital bed, Fr. Christian Carlassare described the injuries he received April 26 as life-threatening, and urged reconciliation and “justice with the same heart of God.”
Accused Kentucky priest reinstated by Vatican (AP) A western Kentucky priest accused of sexually abusing two minors has been reinstated by the Vatican but remains banned from entering schools for five years. The Diocese of Owensboro announced Monday that Joseph Edward Bradley could resume priestly duties after the Vatican overrode a 2019 recommendation from the Owensboro bishop that he be permanently suspended, according to the diocese’s statement…
LGBT migration in Poland (The New York Times) Homosexuality has long been taboo in Poland, where the Roman Catholic Church, which plays a prominent role in the country’s social and political life, has worked hand in hand with the government to promote a conservative way of life. The church, which is particularly powerful in rural areas, has adopted an actively hostile attitude toward gay people. Jacek Dehnel, [a] writer who moved to Berlin last year, said it was “the driving force of hate” toward the gay community. Responding to a request for comment, the Catholic Church pointed to an official document outlining its position, stating that homosexual “inclinations” did not constitute “moral guilt,” but homosexual acts did. It declined to comment on hate speech employed by priests, and the accusation that they were contributing to the general deterioration of the safety of gay people in Poland…
