Focus

Italian and Chinese researchers work together on coronavirus mutations

Feb 16, 2020

The young researcher Domenico Benvenuto, from the Biomedical Campus of Rome, managed to discover the mutant gene that allowed the coronavirus to pass from bats to humans. The Roman university has been collaborating with Chinese scholars since the SARS epidemic. To combat the virus, quarantine and isolation are useful, racist and synophobic attitudes are useless. The young researcher was born in the same city as Giovanni da Montecorvino, first bishop of Beijing (1247-1328).
Vatican II inspiration becomes home for ecumenism in Geneva

Feb 09, 2020

In the hometown of John Calvin, theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation, the Ecumenical Theological Workshop makes it possible for Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox theologians to get new insights to add more audiences of different faiths to their fold.
Benedict’s estrangement from Ratzinger

Feb 09, 2020

The publication of From the Depths of Our Hearts, Cardinal Robert Sarah’s book on clerical celibacy “co-authored” with Pope Benedict XVI, illustrates once more the problem with the institution of the emeritus papacy as it’s currently functioning.
Year of the Rat

Jan 24, 2020

The Rat is easily frightened and apprehensive, fearing losing its life by making a false step (move). Hence, it operates at night in order to be safe.
As Dutch parishes close, some Catholics just quit going to church!

Jan 23, 2020

A Dutch Catholic newspaper warned churches will continue to close in the Netherlands, where half of all Catholic parishes have already been dissolved amid plummeting church participation.
Vietnam’s young Catholics pay no heed to marriage, offspring

Jan 23, 2020

Church reports that an increasing number of younger people in urban areas are opting to remain single for life .
As a source of food and a remedy

Jan 20, 2020

In Canton, the Boat People especially, consume the dried meat of rats offered for sale. Here is a case of “one man’s poison being another man’s meat.”
As we usher in 2020: Do we change to stay relevant in this changing world?

Jan 20, 2020

As we usher in the lunar new year of the rat, it is most appropriate for us to ponder if we as Catholics are still relevant in this everchanging world.
Pope Francis not in favour of optional priestly celibacy

Jan 17, 2020

A Vatican spokesman said Monday, Jan 13 that Pope Francis’ position on priestly celibacy is “known,” quoting the pontiff’s remarks in a January 2019 press conference, in which he said he does not agree with making priestly celibacy “optional” in the Latin rite.
What Pope Francis has done in 2019: Understanding the Pope – A year in review

Jan 09, 2020

As 2019 draws to a close, we look back at the events, encounters, discourses and journeys that have marked this year for Pope Francis.