Europe

Austrian bishop supports longer military service amid security concerns

Austria’s military bishop has backed Government plans to extend mandatory military service, arguing that Europe’s changing security environment demands better-trained recruits
Corrie Douglas-Young

The Week in Review: Wildfires, religious freedom and pro-life developments

From Europe’s wildfires to Vatican news and religious freedom battles, here are this week’s top Catholic stories
The Catholic Herald

Archbishop Gänswein calls Synodal Way a “burden”

Archbishop Georg Gänswein says debates surrounding Germany’s Synodal Way continue to weigh on many Catholics and reflects on his diplomatic mission in the Baltic states
Corrie Douglas-Young

France’s bishops urge Catholics to welcome wildfire evacuees

With hundreds of thousands displaced by devastating wildfires, the bishops of France have encouraged churches and parish halls to become places of welcome and relief
Corrie Douglas-Young

Assisted suicide’s advance across the West

As more countries move to legalise assisted suicide, the Church continues to warn that once it becomes part of medical care, pressure for further expansion rarely ends
Corrie Douglas-Young

Marian statue and altar in Medjugorje desecrated

Police are investigating after a statue of Our Lady and an outdoor altar at the Medjugorje shrine were desecrated days before the annual Youth Festival
Corrie Douglas-Young

Macron pays tribute to priest martyred by Islamic State

Macron has paid tribute to Fr Jacques Hamel, whose killing in 2016 prompted widespread calls for his canonisation
Corrie Douglas-Young

Finnish MP appeals church booklet hate speech conviction

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights after her conviction for hate speech over a church booklet
Corrie Douglas-Young

Cardinal Varela: Church cannot compromise on sacramental authority

Cardinal Varela says the Church cannot concede on sacramental questions as debate over the German Synodal Way continues
Corrie Douglas-Young

Pope prays for France and Spain amid devastating wildfires

As wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain, Pope Leo XIV has expressed his closeness to those affected and praised the efforts of emergency responders
Corrie Douglas-Young