Latest news with #non-Catholic
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
UK Accountant Sacked For Being Non-Catholic By Church
An accountant in the UK has successfully won a lawsuit against the Catholic diocese after she was sacked from her job for being non-Catholic. Janet Parker, 55, had a falling out with her boss after she requested leave to take care of her newly adopted daughter. The Bristol church did not approve her request and later fired her from her Rs 69 lakh-a-year role (approximately £60,000). As per Ms Parker, after rejecting her request, the Clifton Diocese subjected her to a 'witch hunt' investigation by the managers for alleged professional negligence, which ultimately led to the sacking. She added that the diocese's approach to her flexible working request was 'tainted by negative views of adoption, emanating from the religious beliefs of its staff'. "This behaviour is not in accordance with the professed beliefs of the Catholic Church," said Ms Parker, according to The Telegraph. "I know that the Catholic Church does not have a blemish-free history when it comes to adopted children or children in care, but I hoped that this kind of prejudice had been eradicated long ago. Maybe I am wrong." Church found guilty Details of the disciplinary hearing conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW) showed that the church was guilty of discrimination and harassment and ruled that it had unfairly sacked Ms Parker in 2021 because she was not religious. The tribunal described Ms Parker, a Cambridge University alumnus, as a "very intelligent, articulate and able woman", who had been a chartered accountant since 1998 and worked with Deloitte and Credit Suisse before moving to the charity sector in 2009. After being fired, Ms Parker sent an expletive-ridden message to her boss, Lyn Murray, which read: 'There is one thing I always wanted to say to you. Now I can. F*** OFF YOU B*TCH', and 'Your god might forgive you but I never will. B*tch.' Despite this, the employment tribunal judge backed Ms Parker's claims. Compensation for Ms Parker has yet to be set, and it is understood that the diocese is to appeal the ruling. Speaking after the ruling, Ms Parker said she had experienced "four years of hell", adding that she hates the Catholic church and that thet "cannot be trusted".
Herald Malaysia
5 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo's aim for basilica at Eucharistic miracle site in Peru impeded by legal dispute
As bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Pope Leo XIV sought to build a basilica at the site of a Eucharistic miracle, currently a chapel. Jun 05, 2025 Chapel built on the remains of the old church where, in 1649, the apparition of the Child Jesus took place in a consecrated host in Eten, Peru. Currently, it is not under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Chiclayo but is administered by the so-called Multisectoral Committee of Eten City. | Credit: Diego López Marina/EWTN News By Diego López Colín As bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Pope Leo XIV sought to build a basilica at the site of a Eucharistic miracle, currently a chapel. However, that goal has been impeded by a dispute over who owns the land and marred by the fact that non-Catholic liturgies have been held there. The Peruvian government recently declared the site to be 'of national Interest,' introducing another factor into the matter. Jesús León Ángeles, coordinator of the group 1649 Eucharistic Miracle in Peru, explained the situation to ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. 'In 2021, Pope Leo XIV — then bishop of Chiclayo — began a crusade for the construction of the Eucharistic Shrine of Peru on an 11-hectare [27-acre] plot of land he obtained in the Ciudad Eten district [of the Lambayeque region of Chiclayo province], where the country's only Eucharistic miracle occurred in 1649,' León said. León, who worked with then-Bishop Robert Prevost on the project, said that 'Pope Leo XIV's heart is full of love for our country,' which is why he dedicated part of his pastoral mission to promote the development of the shrine. However, she explained that there are multiple obstacles to the construction of the Eten shrine. Just as the story of the Eten miracle 'traces back to a sacrilege in Quito,' she said, today it also 'has sacrilege and the desecration of the sacred place as stumbling blocks.' The miracle of 1649: When the Divine Child appeared in the host On Jan. 20, 1649, ciboria and consecrated hosts were stolen from the St. Clare Convent in Quito. When the sad news reached northern Peru, Masses of reparation were offered. Then on June 2, 1649, the eve of Corpus Christi, residents of Ciudad Eten claimed to see the Divine Child Jesus in a consecrated host. A month later, on the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, four Franciscan priests claimed to have witnessed the same apparition. Later, the image of the Child on the host disappeared, and in its place were three hearts, a symbol of the Holy Trinity. 'In 1649, people wept, the bells rang, and that grief spread throughout Peru. We are in the northern region, and the Franciscan priests were here at that time,' León explained. This event, which is recorded in the Vatican Library in Rome, in the General Archive of the Indies in Seville, Spain, and in the library of St. Francis Convent Convent in Lima, was also celebrated by Blessed Carlo Acutis, who included it in his famous compilation of Eucharistic miracles. In 2019, Prevost, as bishop of Chiclayo, initiated a process with the Vatican for the recognition of the Eucharistic miracle. The prelate told ACI Prensa that the miracle is well documented by 'the history, the data, the continuous devotion over these 370 years' in the city of Eten and that in that sense 'the miracle is approved.' Multisectoral Committee opposes Church authority One of the main obstacles to the construction of the long-awaited Eten shrine has been the opposition of the so-called 'Multisectoral Committee of Eten City,' a group of residents who claim to have owned the land for more than 50 years. 'Multisectoral' means 'representing a broad section of society.' 'Unfortunately — and I say this with shame — there is a group of fellow countrymen, my fellow countrymen from here in Eten, called the Multisectoral Committee, who have taken over the chapel and are bringing in false priests,' lamented Christian Pulcan, a member of the Catholic group 1649 Eucharistic Miracle in Peru. Italo Chafloc, president of the committee, defended their position: 'We just want them to respect our ownership of the land we have occupied for more than 50 years,' he said. 'We have never closed the gates; we have always been open to dialogue.' Chafloc further indicated that 'there is a legal issue that has been in process for some time.' However, he maintained that 'the role of the justice system takes a long time and is a process that is dragging on.' However, the problems go beyond a legal dispute between the diocese and the committee. Non-Catholic ceremonies and fake priests In July 2018, Bishop Prevost was prevented from entering the chapel after learning that a supposed Mass was being celebrated without permission. Police intervened and found four men dressed as priests who later identified themselves as Anglicans. However, upon consulting with the official Anglican Church, that institution denied that they were members. 'I am a servant appointed by Pope Francis, the bishop of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Chiclayo. I came to this chapel and they closed the gates on me,' Prevost declared at the time, making a statement to the authorities. According to Pulcan, Prevost was celebrating Mass at the St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Eten. 'After Mass, he was informed that there was another liturgical celebration taking place here in this chapel. The [future] pope was celebrating alongside the parish priest of Eten, and therefore, there could not be another simultaneous celebration without his authorization,' he explained. Upon learning of this, the then-bishop of Chiclayo went to the Eten chapel. 'Unfortunately, the group closed the iron gates and did not allow them to enter,' Pulcan added. Similar situations have also taken place recently, including some witnessed by the team from the Spanish-language edition of EWTN News when they visited the site. On May 11, a man named Fernando Hoyos Ortega presided over a ceremony in which he distributed Communion without being a priest. He claimed to be an Episcopalian and said he had been invited by the Multisectoral Committee. 'Those who invited me to celebrate Mass were the people of Eten, not the diocese. That's why you don't need a special permit for that,' Hoyos stated. In 2019, the diocese had specifically addressed Hoyos' situation with a statement signed by then-Bishop Prevost, saying: 'Fernando Hoyos is not a priest, nor does he have any type of authorization from the Diocese of Chiclayo to celebrate any liturgical act.' Despite that statement, the president of the Multisectoral Committee recently stated that he was unaware that Hoyos was not Catholic: 'Of course, now that you've just... let's say, practically clarified it for me, well, yes,' Chafló said when asked by EWTN News. According to Pulcan, another man named Héctor Urteaga has also gone to the chapel to celebrate non-Catholic ceremonies, supposedly as a bishop. 'David Peña also came, who claimed to be a bishop. And currently, Mr. Fernando Hoyos, president of the Chiclayo Autism Association, is coming,' he added. 'It's important for people to know all of this, because many are unaware of it. Valid liturgical celebrations in Eten take place at St. Mary Magdalene Parish. All celebrations must take place there,' the layman noted. Pope Leo XIV's objective: A basilica and a hospital Despite the obstacles, in 2022 the Diocese of Chiclayo succeeded in obtaining a land lease from the regional government for use of an 11-hectare plot of land that includes the site of the miracle. Prevost's original plan included a basilica, a pilgrim guesthouse, a hospital, and an artisan park for crafts, food, and performances. However, the project's progress has been curtailed by legal disputes. The diocese's lawyer, Ulises Damián, explained that there are currently two legal proceedings to determine ownership of the land. The occupants of the site claim continuous possession for more than a decade, while the Church maintains that it is a cultural heritage site, meaning the state can only grant temporary use, not ownership. 'Legally, over time, they have attempted to access the property... however, that area has been declared a cultural heritage site,' Damián said. 'When the Ministry of Culture prepared a report, it was determined that there are not just old but pre-Hispanic vestiges.' For this reason, according to the lawyer, usage rights of the land are claimed not only by the diocese but also the Lambayeque regional government itself, the current legal owner of the property. Damián also referred to the Multisectoral Committee that currently occupies the site, indicating that, although it has been formalized as an organization, it does not have the authority to administer churches or religious assets. 'Initially, they helped the priest during the feast of the Child of the Miracle, but over time, this became distorted. At one point, they even brought in people outside the Catholic Church who pretended to be priests,' he lamented. Despite the conflict, the lawyer reiterated the diocese's willingness to engage in dialogue with the occupiers. However, he insisted that communion with the Church requires respect for its authority. 'The Church does not impose; the Church is a mother and teacher. But whoever wants to be within it must respect its hierarchy and doctrine,' he emphasized. Both national and pending Vatican recognition On May 17, the Peruvian government declared Ciudad Eten a 'Eucharistic City of National Interest' and announced on May 21 that it would be part of the country's 'Paths of Pope Leo XIV' tourism route. Nonetheless, while the legal status of the land remains unresolved and the sacrileges continue, construction of the basilica shrine cannot move forward. When he was prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost sought Vatican recognition for the Eucharistic miracle. In 2019, he presented Pope Francis with a document detailing the history of the devotion, which compiles 20,000 testimonies of faith. Since then, the Holy See has retained the documentation. Today, with Prevost having become Pope Leo XIV, official recognition of the miracle is in his hands.--CNA
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Campaign group hold meeting to push for non-religious secondary school in Dublin 8
A public meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 27, to update residents on efforts to tackle the severe shortage of school places and to gather community feedback. 'We've been fighting for a new multi-denominational secondary school in Dublin 8 for a couple of years now,' said Louise Fitzpatrick, spokesperson for local campaign group, Educate D8. 'Nearly half the children living here have to leave the area to attend secondary school, and this has been an ongoing issue. 'Our main focus has been securing meetings with politicians – especially the Minister for Education and the Department of Education. We've had several meetings where we felt listened to, but the frustration remains,' she added. According to Louise, the Department of Education is unwilling to build new schools in the area for three main reasons. Firstly, the Department's projections suggest the youth population will decline after 2031, so they are reportedly focusing only on expanding or upgrading existing schools. Secondly, when planning new schools, the Department does not consider religious demographics. Thirdly, the Department argues there is enough school capacity within Dublin 8 and nearby areas combined. However, Educate D8 disputes this claim, saying the definition of 'surrounding area' is vague, and the actual local capacity does not meet the community's needs. 'They do not look at demographics in the area; religion is not something they consider at all,' Ms Fitzpatrick said. 'In an area like Dublin 8, where 62pc of the population is not Catholic, that seems quite unreasonable.' ADVERTISEMENT Educate D8 also points out that the Department discounts the presence of private or fee-paying schools in other areas when calculating capacity, which Louise says entrenches inequality. 'If you live in an area with lots of private schools, like Blackrock, you're more likely to have public schools built for you,' she said. 'But if you live in an area like Dublin 8, where the majority population is non-Catholic, the Department doesn't consider that when looking at provision. That's just not fair.' A further claim from the Department is that adequate secondary school capacity exists within a three-kilometre radius of most Dublin 8 students — including schools outside the immediate neighbourhood. But Ms Fitzpatrick highlighted a number of practical issues with this approach. 'Three kilometres in a busy urban setting can be an hour on a bus, or a dangerous cycling route across busy, traffic-heavy roads. It's not as easy as just saying there are schools nearby,' she said. The public meeting next week is designed to present an update on the Department's position and the campaign's response, as well as to explore future options with the community. The event will also feature local politicians and principals from nearby schools, giving them a chance to share their views and hear directly from parents and residents. Representatives from Gaelcholáiste 2468, another action group fighting for choice in secondary education who have faced similar struggles, will attend to offer insights and advice based on their experience. Ms Fitzpatrick said the campaign's focus remains largely on long-term planning. 'There are some short-term wins, like Harold's Cross opening enrolment to Dublin 8 students, and the Mercy School in Inchicore, while a new religious school is under construction to increase capacity and give students more options,' she said. 'In Dublin 8, we have five multi-denominational primary schools but no corresponding secondary school, which is the opposite of many other parts of the country.' The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sikh delegation meets Pope Leo XIV
The chairman of a Sikh charitable organisation has spoken of the importance of dialogue between people of different faiths, following a meeting with the new Pope. Bhai Sahib, Prof Mohinder Singh, of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) in Birmingham, was among a Sikh delegation who attended an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday. "I was overjoyed, and of course I congratulated him on his inauguration," said Prof Mohinder Singh. "I felt very happy." Those present at the event, representing a a range of non-Catholic Churches and other religions, had attended the Pope's inauguration Mass the previous day. Among the guests were Prince Edward, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Prof Mohinder Singh described it as "a deeply spiritual moment". It was, he said, "a sacred invitation to renew our shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and reconciliation". Following the Mass, Prof Singh presented the inter-faith Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and offered prayers for peace in his country. He also asked the new Pope for "his continued support and blessing for the Peace Charter", a document which was first presented to Pope Francis in 2018. It was the third audience with a Pope for Prof Singh, who was the first Sikh in history to receive the pontifical order of knighthood for his service to interfaith relations. He said he believed the new Pope would continue the example set by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in being a symbol of hope and peace. In his address to the delegates, Pope Leo praised the work made by his predecessor towards interreligious dialogue and spoke of a "common path", involving everyone "in a spirit of human fraternity". Prof Mohinder Singh said this was "very, very important". "As per our own scripture, our Sikh scripture, all humans are sparks of the divine, humanity being one global family," he said. "We need to have interfaith cooperation and collaboration – that is almost essential." He added that he thought Pope Leo would continue, as Pope Francis had done, to represent sincerity and simplicity. "But he will also work on peace-building," he said. "That, I feel, is important for him. "His Holiness walks with humility, courage and moral clarity, following the luminous path of Pope Francis," added Prof Singh. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Pope Leo XIV calls for unity at inaugural mass and meets Zelensky Final respects paid to Pope in West Midlands GNNSJ The Holy See
Extra.ie
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Exclusive group of women don white at Pope's inauguration
Just four women wore white at the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV while the colour code was black for the majority of female attendees. The inauguration of the American pope took place over the weekend with Queen Mathilde of Belgium; Queen Letizia of Spain; Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Charlene, Princess of Monaco all donning white for the occasion. The women have been granted an exception to the traditional requirement that women wear black garments as a result of le privilège du blanc (the privilege of the white). King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain arrive ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Square. Pic:Le privilège du blanc allows a Catholic queen or princess to wear white in the company of the Pope, though all non-Catholic royal women must wear black. Just seven women have the privilege at the moment. Along with the four women who wore white over the weekend, Queen Sofía of Spain; Queen Paola of Belgium and Princess Marina of Savoy are all eligible for the privilege. Dr Taylor Marshall explained via X that black garments signifies 'humility and the desire to remain unnoticed.' Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium arrive ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Square on May 18, 2025. Pic:The traditional protocol states that men dress simply while women wear long, black dresses that cover the knee and have high collars as well as long sleeves. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has not been granted the privilege despite being a Catholic woman. This is because her husband, King Wilem-Alexander, is a Protestant. The exclusive group don't always have to wear white and similarly the black dress code isn't very strict anymore with Queen Elizabeth previously wearing a bright lilac suit when meeting Pope Francis. The Vatican is more lenient with the black dress code nowadays, viewing it more of as guideline than a requirement. That said, royal women still traditionally follow the rules, Royal Central confirmed.
