The Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, has issued a message to the Catholic community of the city, in the wake of deadly terror attacks on the satirical journal, Charlie Hebdo, earlier in the week. Read more

The Catholic Church in Mexico has welcomed the new year with great concern due to a wave of violence and insecurity in the state of Guerrero. Read more

The Archbishop of Dublin has offered to shelter some 40 homeless people in Church buildings over the Christmas period, after a man died in a doorway metres away from the city's Parliament buildings, reports The Tablet Read More.

Pope Francis has called on Muslim leaders to condemn violence in order to eliminate the unfortunate stereotype linking Islam with terrorism. Read more

Two prominent Protestant pastors defended marriage at the Vatican, saying the Church must fight against the sexual revolution and stand for Biblical truth about marriage and sexuality. Read more.

US Roman Catholic bishops are gathering at a moment of turbulence for them and the American church, as Pope Francis moves toward crafting new policies for carrying out his mission of mercy — a prospect that has conservative Catholics and some bishops in an uproar. Read more For more on this issue click here.

In a series of top level changes in the Roman Curia, Pope Francis has appointed the English-born Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher as Secretary for Relations with States — the third highest position in the Vatican. Read more

Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Holy See Permanent Observer at the United Nations, addressed the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, dedicated to 'Sustainable development: protection of global climate for present and future generations' on 16 October. Read more

Over three evenings, Marie Biddle RSJ MA MTh, will use the teachings of Jean Vanier to guide participants in a reflection on John's Gospel at Holy Family Parish, Mennai, NSW.

Bibi, an "untouchable" low caste, was accused of blasphemy after an argument with her Muslim neighbour over a drinking glass in the fruit field where they worked together. She was the first Christian woman convicted under the blasphemy law that provides for mandatory death sentence even for unintentional acts or words of blasphemy. Read more

To get the reports on the Extrordinary Synod on the Family click here.

Michael Kelly SJ has done it again. Check the new online Catholic journal

.

Read the texts of presentations and interventions. Click here.

Read the texts of presentations and interventions at the Synod on the Family. Click here.

Pope Francis has appointed a group of theologians and canon lawyers to study ways to make the annulment of Catholic marriages – often a complicated and lengthy task – simpler, the Vatican announced. Read more.

 See also Four Solutions for the Divorced and Remarried - click here.

For the first time in decades, bishops and cardinals will get back together to clash over radically opposed ideas, in particular on the yes or no to communion for the divorced and remarried. It is Pope Francis who wanted to reopen the dispute. With an unpredictable outcome. Read more.

In the first wedding he has performed in his 18-month-old papacy, Francis yesterday took each couple through their vows in turn - including Gabriella and Guido, who already had children and thought such a marriage would be impossible. Read more.

The appointment of 25 curial officials to the synod on the family is a sign that Pope Francis still does not understand what real reform of the Roman Curia requires. It makes me fear that when all is said and done, he may close or merge some offices, rearrange some responsibilities, but not really shake things up. Read more.

The Church must step away from its defensive, antithetical stance and seek anew the path of dialogue" on moral issues, he wrote in the 22-page letter posted on his diocese's website in five languages. Read more.