Pope urges church leaders to recognise errors in dealing with clergy abuse
By Jonathan Luxmoore – Pope Francis urged bishops from throughout Eastern Europe to recognise mistakes in their handling of sexual abuse in order to open “new horizons...
Southern Africa's Catholic Magazine
Zimbabwean Catholic Music Goes Global
Benjamin Takavarasha tells the Southern Cross how a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine in the UK led to Zimbabwean Catholic music being heard across the globe. By...
Choosing South Africa’s New Chief Justice
The Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the public would be able to participate in the process of selecting South Africa’s new...
The Vatican Nativity Scene 2021 Coming From Peru
Last year, the Vatican nativity set came, for some, from outer space; in 2021 it is coming from the Andes. The 2021 manger that will be placed in...
When are Ordinations Invalid?
When is a person’s ordination by a bishop to the priesthood invalid? Does the intention of the one who asks for ordination play a role in this?...
How Long is too long for Prayers of the Faithful?
In our parish, the Sunday prayers of the faithful seem to go on forever. Sometimes there are as many as 15 petitions, all of them long-winded. I...
Pope: Leadership Can be Distorted by Thirst for Power
By Carol Glatz – Pope Francis praised Catholic lay movements and associations for living out the Gospel in their everyday lives and for promoting education, social support...
Pope: Success is what you give, not what you have
Pope Francis said in his Angelus address that in God’s eyes, success is measured “not on what someone has, but on what someone gives.” The pope reflected...
Why is Radio Veritas limited to Gauteng?
Question: Why is Radio Veritas, as South Africa’s only Catholic radio station, broadcasting only in Johannesburg and not nationally? Answer by Günther Simmermacher: It is fair to...
Divine Mercy Sunday?
Our parish celebrated the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday for the first time. We found, however, that there is a lot of confusion about...
Alcoholic Annulment?
Question: Can a marriage between two baptised Christians be annulled if one spouse is an alcoholic? Answer: Because all sacramental marriages are deemed valid unless proved otherwise,...
Mary’s Family Tree
Question: Please explain the family tree of the Virgin Mary. I cannot find it in the Bible and I’m not sure where it came from or if...
Public schools can display crucifix when decided democratically, court rules
By Carol Glatz – Italy’s highest court of appeal has ruled that public school classrooms can approve the presence of the crucifix because it does not discriminate...
