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A diocese in Australia is at odds with the Archbishop of Sydney, over a bill related to gender ideology in classrooms. The bill would ban discussion of gender fluidity from the curriculum of local schools. It would also mandate schools to inform parents of all discussions of gender and sexuality. The Archdiocese of Sydney, and the governing body of all six hundred Catholic schools in the state, support the bill. They say the bill upholds the primacy of parental education of children. The Diocese of Parramatta, in the western suburbs of Sydney, says the bill disrespects human dignity, and could encourage bullying.
In a video message for Earth Day today, Pope Francis urged world leaders to act with courage and innovation, to prevent the destruction of the planet. The pope said the pandemic has taught us about the impact our lives have on nature, and climate change. He prayed that we will emerge from the pandemic better than before and that we will avoid a path of self-destruction. The pope’s video message was played during an Earth Day live stream, available on YouTube.
The Vatican has dedicated the month of May to prayer, for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Catholic shrines around the world will take turns leading a daily live streamed rosary, at noon Eastern time. Pope Francis will open the month of prayer on May 1, asking for Mary’s intercession. The Catholic Church dedicates the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary.