The Holy See has reinstated a Carmelite mother superior nearly a year after the bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, dismissed her after alleged inappropriate conduct with a priest. Bishop Michael Olson issued a decree on June 1, 2023, dismissing Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach from religious life following a nearly six-week-long investigation into the affair. Read more
World
Vatican reinstates Carmelite nun after bishop’s dismissal in Texas over affair with priest
Thursday, May 30th, 2024Notre Dame Cathedral cross reinstalled in Paris amid restoration efforts
Thursday, May 30th, 2024The cross at the apse of Notre-Dame de Paris, which survived the devastating 2019 fire, was reinstalled atop the cathedral’s framework Friday after a meticulous restoration by artistic ironworkers from Normandy. The imposing cross, spanning 12 meters and weighing 1.5 tons, is the only element of the choir roof that resisted the flames. Approximately 250 Read more
Catholic – Coptic tensions over same-sex blessings
Monday, May 27th, 2024
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández recently met with Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II to bridge the gap caused by same-sex blessing tensions. However, the meeting highlighted a rare agreement between the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Churches on their stance against homosexual relationships. During their meeting, Pope Tawadros II expressed his concerns directly, urging clarity and consistency Read more
Vatican and China seek improved relations
Monday, May 27th, 2024
The Vatican and China are signalling a potential thaw in their historically strained relationship, with both sides expressing a willingness to work together. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has proposed the establishment of a permanent Vatican office in Beijing. This is a significant gesture towards deeper diplomatic ties. Parolin reaffirmed that the Read more
Australian Catholic Mass attendance declines, but youth engaged
Monday, May 27th, 2024
A new report shows Australian Catholic Mass attendance has significantly declined, with recent surveys indicating a steep drop from 2016 to 2021. The proportion of Catholics attending Mass fell from 11.8% to 8.2%, representing a drop of around a third (from 623,400 to 417,350) over the five-year period. “The Australian Catholic Mass Attendance Report 2021” Read more
Catholic priest returns to Gaza
Monday, May 27th, 2024
The only Latin-rite Catholic priest in Gaza has finally returned to his Holy Family parish after an unexpectedly long absence. Father Gabriel Romanelli took advantage of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s visit to the area last week to return to Gaza from Israel. “I am in the parish and will stay here.” One day turns into over Read more
Promoters still hope for ordained women deacons despite pope’s big N-O
Monday, May 27th, 2024
Those promoting women deacons are still hoping their dream for ordained women will come true. Their vision continues despite Pope Francis saying a very public ‘No’ to the idea as recently as last week’s CBS News interview. No way During the CBS interview, Francis said he is not open to the possibility of ordaining women Read more
Archdiocese denies news about death of Cardinal
Monday, May 27th, 2024“Cardinal Oswald Gracias is alive,” the Archdiocese of Bombay announced in this unusual press release. On Thursday, the Indian archdiocese informed the public that reports of its archbishop’s death were fictitious. “We can confirm that His Eminence is very much alive and well and faithfully discharging his duties as Shepherd of his flock in the Read more
Millennial soon to be canonised!
Monday, May 27th, 2024Pope Francis has authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning a new miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, paving the way for his being declared a saint. This was done after Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, met with Pope Francis during an audience on May 23. Read more