There are now 1.4 billion Catholics in the world, according to Vatican figures (Rorate Caeli). Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has said that the country’s Catholic hospitals will be required to perform abortions. A US bishop has suggested that Catholics involved in an immigration crackdown should face “canonical penalties”. Chinese police have reportedly arrested nine nuns. George Weigel says “the Irish bishops are incapable of leading the re-evangelisation of the country”. Fr Ed Tomlinson calls for a better laity. And David Mills suggests a way to make Confession easier. Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.