Removing a reproductive organ incapable of bringing a pregnancy to term should not be qualified as direct sterilisation, says the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Good quality Catholic-inspired programme for Relationships and Sexuality Education sought by Bishops Nulty and Doran.

Large majorities of Catholics polled in five countries said they believed contraceptives are commonly used among Catholic couples.

The miracle relates to the healing of a baby in the womb whose life, and that of her mother's, were under threat.

“We now have an educated laity, perceptive of social change, anxious to play a part in the mission of the Church. We are foolish to ignore them.”

Wijngaards Statement is based on a purely biological or physicalist understanding of sexuality that has long been surpassed, claims Irish theologian.

“We highlighted that the vast majority of acts of sexual intercourse do not have the biological capacity for procreation and so, contrary to the central claim of Humanae Vitae, cannot have a procreative finality and significance.”

St Mary’s University, Twickenham in London officially opened the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society on 5 May.

The bishops are to set up a special review group to examine how best the Church can continue to support marriage and family life in Ireland.

"Priests who left the Church to marry should be invited back and would bring the experience of marriage to their ministry."

Pontiff calls for responsible parenthood saying, "Some think that ... in order to be good Catholics we have to be like rabbits. No."

Dr Thomas Hilgers warns that many women have been damaged and traumatised due to contraception, abortion and IVF.

Some of his most significant comments concern the role of women in the Church.