A group of 18 scientists and bioethicists have called for a global moratorium on the practice of editing human genes until an “international framework” is in place to ensure that ethical standards are maintained.

The international group of scientists, in a March 13 editorial for the journal Nature, called for a “fixed period during which no clinical uses of germline editing whatsoever are allowed” until an “international framework” is agreed upon which would take into account ethical questions involved in gene editing…

Reflecting on the Gospel of St Luke, in which the Evangelist vividly recounts Jesus transfigured on the mountain, the Pope said, that this was ”a place of light, a fascinating symbol of the unique experience reserved for the three disciples”, Peter, James and John.

The Transfiguration, explained the Pope, “takes place at a very precise moment of Christ’s mission, that is, after he confided to his disciples that he “must suffer much, […] be killed and rise again on the third day” (v…

Reporting from New Zealand, Nicky Webber says, “Our entire country is absolutely devastated by the 49 confirmed deaths in New Zealand’s first terrorist attack”. She described “the massacre of innocent people, at prayer, in their place of worship” as “shocking and heartbreaking”.

The attacks began in the early afternoon on Friday, when at least one person entered the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch and began firing on worshippers…

On the occasion of the 2019 COMECE Spring Assembly, on Thursday 14 March 2019, EU Bishops received  Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. Together they urged all citizens to engage into the European political debate and vote with responsibility to protect and promote the common good.

The dialogue with the President of the European Commission was an opportunity for Bishops to exchange on the main achievements and remaining priorities of Juncker’s Presidency…

From Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th March the joint meeting of the national delegates for Youth Ministry and Universities of the European Bishops´ Council was held at the headquarters of the Italian Bishops´ Conference.

Organised by the Secretariat and by the Youth Commission of the CCEE, this meeting saw the participation of over 50 delegates and appointed representatives of two of the sections of this commission coming from all over Europe to reflect and share their views on the accompaniment of young people in the light of the Synod of Bishops on the Youth and after the recent World Youth Day in Panama…

Pope Francis has lived, and about to live out, several intense months between voyages and Synods. His sixth year was characterized by the scourge of abuse and by suffering from internal attacks; the response is an invitation to turn to the heart of the faith.

The sixth anniversary of the election sees Pope Francis engaged in a year filled with important international journeys, marked at the beginning and the end by two “synodal” events: the meeting for the protection of minors, which took place last February with the participation of the presidents of the episcopal Conferences of the whole world; and the special Synod on the Amazon, which will be celebrated – also at the Vatican – this coming October…