Pope Francis’ new document on the liturgy, Magnum Principium, might make a rather minimal change in canon law, but it has historical significance and ramifications.

As the Church in Southern Africa anticipates the 200th anniversary of its foundation next June, the celebration of Heritage Day on September 25 offers an opportune time to reflect on how far Catholicism has come in those two centuries.

The secularisation of the West is gathering at a relentless pace. As we report this week, some 53% of people in Britain, especially the young, say that they have no religious affiliation.