Patriarch Kirill criticises sanctions against Russia
News in brief.
Patriarch Kirill criticises sanctions against Russia. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the Russian Orthodox church wrote to the World Council of Churches, criticising economic actions taken by countries in response to Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, saying it was part of attempts by the West to weaken Russia. Read the letter here.
Spanish parliament approves independent investigation into Church abuse. The Spanish parliament has overwhelmingly voted in favour of the setting up of an independent commission to investigate alleged sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, assigning the country’s ombudsman to lead the investigation. This comes just a few weeks after the Catholic Church in Spain had appointed a law firm to conduct a similar investigation. Read more.
Prison sentences for accomplices to murder of priest Jacques Hamel. Three associates of the two men responsible for the jihadist-inspired murder of Father Jacques Hamel in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray have been sentenced to between 8 and 13 years. The 85-year-old priest was brutally murdered at the altar of his small church in 2016. The murderers were shot by police as they tried to leave the church. Read more.
Spotlight on Siena.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Duomo di Siena) (Piazza del Duomo, 8). A richly decorated mediaeval cathedral, containing many spectacular mosaics, frescoes and works of art, including sculptures by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo. Constructed in the 13th century, the cathedral’s interior features alternating white and black-green marble, which is a reference to the famous black and white horses associated with Sienna’s founders.
Three things about Saint Patrick (17 March).
Saint Patrick was a fifth century missionary to northern and western Ireland.
At 16 he had been taken as a slave by Irish pirates raiding the coast of Britain. He had worked as a shepherd for six years before escaping and returning home by persuading a ship’s captain to let him board his ship bound for Britain.
Before becoming a priest, Patrick studied in Auxerre, in Burgundy, and at Lérins Abbey, on the island of Saint-Honorat, one of the Lérins Islands.