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From the Catholic News Agency by JD Flynn Vatican City, Oct 14, 2019 / 02:00 pm (CNA).- Cardinal John Henry Newman would be surprised by his own canonization as a saint, an English bishop said Monday, adding that Newman’s life offers an important witness of holiness for contemporary Catholics. “I am sure that no one would…

Priests arrive in procession for the canonisation Mass for Newman and four other saints celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican When Pope Francis canonises Cardinal John Henry Newman tomorrow, the first Briton to be declared a saint in over forty years, it will be a cause of celebration not merely…

Today's homily comes from Fr Ronald Rolheiser, a Canadian priest, theologian and writer on spirituality. Here he reflects on the question put to Jesus in today's Gospel: 'Lord, increase our faith'.  Several years ago, I was at a symposium at which we were discussing the struggle that many young people have today with their faith.…

From Greg Hurst in THE TIMES, 2 September 2019 Living rough is inherently dangerous. People who sleep on the streets are physically vulnerable. They are also at the mercy of the elements and often lack easy access to healthcare: rough sleepers are much more likely to die of treatable conditions such as lung and heart…

Text of the homily given by Fr Michael Campion at St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle on Monday 30 September 2019 When Newcastle’s first census was taken in 1801, the town had a population of just 28,000 people. Fifty years later, a few years after this church was built, it had trebled; and by the end of…

The bishops of the Church of England have issued a call for respect on all sides amid growing acrimony over the debate on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. A joint statement issued on behalf of the Church of England’s College of Bishops calls for a new tone of listening and respect in debates and describes…

From Melanie McDonagh in THE TABLET, 19 September 2019 Our old friend, Richard Dawkins, is back in business, with a book called Outgrowing God, and at the age of 78, you can only salute his energy. It is intended, he says, especially to guard the young against the dangerous influence of religion. Lots of the…

From Melanie McDonagh in THE TABLET, 5 September 2019 My mother died last night, a little before midnight. I am sitting beside her body. Last night I slept in the chair next to her. She died, to my annoyance, just as I was making tea in the kitchen, after she had been turned in her…

According to the United Nations, up to 40 million people are currently caught up in the modern slave trade industry. It is a multibillion-dollar industry with estimates of up to $35 billion generated annually.  Despite being illegal in every nation, slavery still exists in several modern forms – the most common ones being forced labour…

By Joh Perito in The National Catholic Reporter, 6 September 2019: When I was growing up in the 1930s and '40s, I received a very orthodox Catholic education. One of the most important teachings was that of sanctifying grace. Grace was that marvelous dwelling of God in our souls, often designated as the Holy Spirit.…