Flavia Agnes is a noted Catholic women’s lawyer and rights activist who co-founded the Majlis Legal Centre in Mumbai, India, that campaigns for and provides legal aid to vulnerable women and children, focusing specially on domestic and sexual violence. Herself a victim of a violent and abusive marriage for 13 years, she fought for her rights in the courts and then used this experience to help other women in similar situations, qualifying herself as a lawyer. Flavia who participated in the annual ‘Voices of Faith’ forum in the Vatican on the occasion of Women Day, 8 March, spoke to Vatican Radio about her efforts to bring women’s rights to the forefront of India’s legal system and in the Catholic Church. She also explained how the Church should change its attitude and approach to women and their issues. She said much has changed in society and in the Church but there is still a long way to go. Flavia first talked about the ...
Flavia Agnes is a noted Catholic women’s lawyer and rights activist who co-founded the Majlis Legal Centre in Mumbai, India, that campaigns for and provides legal aid to vulnerable women and children, focusing specially on domestic and sexual violence. Herself a victim of a violent and abusive marriage for 13 years, she fought for her rights in the courts and then used this experience to help other women in similar situations, qualifying herself as a lawyer.
Flavia who participated in the annual ‘Voices of Faith’ forum in the Vatican on the occasion of Women Day, 8 March, spoke to Vatican Radio about her efforts to bring women’s rights to the forefront of India’s legal system and in the Catholic Church. She also explained how the Church should change its attitude and approach to women and their issues. She said much has changed in society and in the Church but there is still a long way to go. Flavia first talked about the Majlis Legal Centre.
Swiss Guard cadets prepare their armor in the guards' barracks at the Vatican on April 30, 2024. / Credit: Matthew Santucci/CNAVatican City, May 5, 2024 / 17:00 pm (CNA).For the newest class of 34 Swiss Guards who will be sworn in on Monday, their service is based on faith and a love for the Church and the pope, as storied as the uniform itself. "For me it was something, first and foremost, to give something to the Church, because the Catholic Church gave us a lot when I was a child and with this service, I can give something back," explained Nicolas Hirt, one of the new guards who hails from the Swiss canton of Fribourg. The cadets, joined by their instructors, gathered for a media event on April 30 in the courtyard behind the barracks adjacent to the Sant'Anna entrance, which was adorned with the flags from each of the Swiss cantons. The Swiss Guard's annual swea...
In an aerial view, the cargo ship Dali sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, in Baltimore. / Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty ImagesACI Prensa Staff, May 5, 2024 / 14:00 pm (CNA).Bishop Brendan Cahill of Victoria, Texas, is inviting Catholics throughout the United States to join the May 22 "National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Sailors and People of the Sea," which this year will include a special prayer in memory of those affected by the catastrophic March 26 Baltimore bridge collapse. "Each year, we pray for those who work on the high seas and the ports. In a special way this year, we remember those who have been impacted by the collapse of the Key Bridge, particularly the six construction workers who perished in the bridge collapse, and for their families as they mourn the loss of their loved ones," Cahill said.On March 26, the container ship Dali suffered a power failure and collided with one of the bridge...
The "Holy Fire" is passed from inside Christ's tomb to pilgrims gathered inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jersusalem on May 4, 2024, for the annual Orthodox Christian ceremony, held on the day before Easter, according to the Julian calendar. / Credit: Marinella Bandini/CNAJerusalem, May 5, 2024 / 09:00 am (CNA).Pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem on Saturday for the annual "Holy Fire" ceremony at the revered site of Jesus' burial and resurrection, an ancient custom considered by many believers to be a miraculous event that takes place the day before the Orthodox Christian celebration of Easter.For safety reasons, attendance at the May 4 event was capped at 4,200 people inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, though the crowds were more manageable and somewhat subdued this year because of a lack of pilgrims from the Palestinian territories and abroad due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.Israeli police man a checkpoint inside the Old City of Jerusalem duri...
