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Catholic Church grows at a faster rate than the global population

According to the latest statistics from the Vatican, there are now 1.229 billion baptized people in the world, a ten percent increase since 2005. The Church has grown the fastest in Africa, where the number of Catholics increased by 29 percent. Meanwhile, Europe was the only region with a decrease in growth. The figures, gathered in December 2012 and released recently, show that the number of priests changed from 406,000 in 2005, to 414,000. Bishops showed a similar growth rate, reaching 5,000 today, while seminarians topped 120,000.

Pope Francis to Newly Ordained: Always be Merciful

In his homily at an ordination mass on Vocations Sunday, Pope Francis urged those becoming priests to follow Christ’s example of mercy in the sacrament of confession. “Never grow tired of being merciful! Please! You have the capacity to forgive as did the Lord, who did not come to condemn, but to forgive! Have mercy, a lot!” he urged the 13 men being ordained to the priesthood in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 11. “If you come to have concerns about being too much of a ‘forgiver,’ think of that saintly priest...who went before the tabernacle and said, ‘Lord, forgive me if I have forgiven too much. But you have given me the worst example!’”

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“Generation Maybe”

Are today’s 30-somethings commitment phobes? In his recent book German author, Oliver Jeges, certainly paints this portrait of his peers, going so far as to call them “Generation Maybe”. He claims that his generation is indecisive about faith, relationships, work, diet, values and ideology. Drowning in a world of freedom and a myriad of choices, they flit between possibilities unsure where to settle.

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Vatican Recognises Missionaries of God's Love

A milestone in the life of the Catholic Church of Australia will be celebrated at St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra on Saturday, 8 February when Archbishop Christopher Prowse will preside over the inauguration of the Missionaries of God's Love (MGL) Religious Institutes of Diocesan rite. Founded by Father Ken Barker in 1986, the MGL congregation is one of only a tiny handful of Catholic religious congregations in Australia that has not evolved or a part of a European or other overseas religious order.

"Year of Consecrated Life" set for 2015

On Sunday, February 2nd, Pope Francis celebrated the 18th World Day for Consecrated Life highlighting the fact that at the centre of Consecrated Life there is always Jesus.

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Priest Writes to the Pope Just Before Dying at Age 31. Here's What His Letter Said

A moving testament of faith, hope, and love...

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Pope Dedicates 2015 to "Year of Consecrated Life"

Emphasising the importance of the religious vocation, Pope Francis announced today that the year 2015 will be dedicated to Consecrated Life. The Holy Father made the announcement during the 82nd General Assembly of the Union of Superior Generals, which concluded last week in Rome.

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Stuttering Can Actually Help Clergy

Three years ago stuttering was catapulted into the worldwide spotlight with the success of the movie The King’s Speech, which centered on King George VI’s struggle with the speech disorder and his unique relationship with his Aussie therapist, Lionel Logue.

Despite Typhoon Damage, Philippine Archdiocese Ordains Seven Priests

Seven priests of the Archdiocese of Palo were ordained amid the ruins of the typhoon-ravaged Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in ceremonies on Tuesday.

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Pope Reaffirms Catholic Teaching on Male Priesthood

Pope Francis reaffirmed Catholic teaching on male priesthood in his first apostolic exhortation, while calling for a broader application of the “feminine genius” in Church life.

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