An anonymous theologian has had his critique of the working document for next month’s Synod on Youth published by Archbishop Charles Chaput. Chaput (who is the Archbishop of Philadelphia), says the critique “is one person’s analysis; others may disagree. “But it is substantive enough to warrant much wider consideration and discussion as bishop-delegates prepare to Read more
A recycled news story published earlier this month that accused over half of Dutch bishops of complicity in sexual abuse was first published in 2011. The Dutch bishops’ conference said “much of the information” provided by NRC Handelsblad had been “public knowledge” since 2011. “The time for praying and apologizing is clearly over; we’re in Read more
A French priest’s suicide has left shock, sorrow and questions in its wake. Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen said 38-year old Father Jean-Baptiste Sèbe had acknowledged his “inappropriate gestures” with a young woman. At the end of the frank but caring meeting, Archbishop Lebrun blessed Sèbe, who carried out his daily activities as usual before Read more
Leaked letters from Pope emeritus Benedict XVI have been published in Bild, a German magazine. In them, Benedict says the “anger” some of his staunchest allies express risks tarnishing his own pontificate. The New York Times says the letters were addressed to Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, one of the four ‘dubia’ cardinals, who recently criticised Benedict’s Read more
New policies to police bishops have been announced. The US Catholic bishops’ conference apologied last Wednesday for the role of bishops in the church’s clergy sexual abuse scandal. At the same time, they announced new initiatives to hold abusive or negligent bishops accountable. Read more
A young Australian man, Sebastian Duhau, 22, will be one of only 20 lay people from around the world speaking at the upcoming youth synod in Rome. He will have the opportunity to speak to the hierarchy of the Church for four minutes, condensing experiences from his youth ministry work that take him around Australia, Read more
American singer-songwriter and musician, Bruce Springsteen, admits that deep down he’s still a Catholic. Springsteen has a new memoir out and, in it, he makes much of his Irish roots as well as the deep influence – for better or worse – of the Catholic Church. Read more
A former Australian governor general, Labor leader and avowed atheist says he has found God again at age 85. “There’s been a gnawing pain in my heart and soul about what is the meaning of life. What’s my role in it?” Bill Hayden says. Hayden has often been cited as one of Australia’s most prominent Read more
Pope Francis has announced new rules to bolster lay people’s contribution in the synod of bishops process so it can become a “privileged instrument of listening to the People of God.” He has published a new apostolic constitution, “Episcopalis Communio,” which sets out how local bishops must consult with the laity on the “questions to Read more
Pope Francis is an extraordinary man for extraordinary times, says Irish singer Bono. The U2 frontman told reporters he met privately with Francis on Wednesday to sign an agreement between his charity, ONE, and the Scholas Occurentes educational charity supported by Francis. “We haven’t figured out what we are going to do together,” Bono said, Read more