Accusations that the Vatican is trying to block Italy’s government from passing laws to further protect LGBT rights are unfounded, says the Vatican Secretary of State. Cardinal Pietro Parolin says he personally approved the diplomatic communication, which rather than attacking the LGBT community, was intended to express concerns over the proposed Italian legislation. The Vatican Read more
Bishops of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan called for justice and “repentance” after hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at a former Catholic-run residential school. “We offer our condolences, but we know that this is not enough, and our words must move to concrete action,” the bishops said in a joint statement. Leaders of a Read more
Pope Francis said divided Christians should suffer because they cannot share the Eucharist. However, that suffering should spur them to work and pray harder for Christian unity. On the 491st anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, the pope held an audience with members of the Lutheran World Federation in the Vatican. In his address to the Read more
Pope Francis has encouraged the German bishops to continue on the Synodal Path and to discuss the questions openly and honestly. Francis also wants the German church to come to recommendations for a change in the church’s actions says Bishops Conference president Georg Bätzing. In return Francis received personal assurances from the German bishops’ conference Read more
The Vatican’s new liturgy chief has recommended the practice of adoration to help increase awareness of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. In an interview with EWTN News, Archbishop Arthur Roche, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, said that he was not pessimistic about the prospect of people Read more
Ahead of the Vatican’s day of prayer for Lebanon on July 1, a senior Vatican official has expressed concern that the potential collapse of the country could jeopardize the Christian presence in the Middle East. Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s equivalent of a foreign minister, said June 25 that he believes that the Holy See Read more
Despite strong criticism from European bishops and pro-life groups, members of the European Parliament adopted a report that defines access to abortion as a human right. It also claims that doctors or hospitals that conscientiously object to performing abortions put “women’s lives in danger.” The report passed the European Parliament June 24 with 378 votes Read more
A defrocked Greek Orthodox priest was charged with multiple counts of causing grievous bodily harm over an acid attack that injured seven senior bishops and three other people. The 37-year-old Greek man was led to court in lay clothing, handcuffs, and under a heavily armed police escort. He was arrested by a police guard late Read more
A statement from “UN experts” aims to force the Holy See and the Catholic Church to surrender to abortion and gender ideology. It is likely to be published during the UN Human Rights Council’s current session. The UN experts’ statement will probably be made under the guise of demands that the Vatican takes all necessary steps Read more
Permanent deacons whose ministry focuses on service to the poor and hurting is an antidote to clericalism within the church. Their service illustrates that “to love is to serve and to serve is to reign,” Pope Francis says. Francis made the comment when he met most of the Diocese of Rome’s 137 permanent deacons, their Read more