The Diocese of Brooklyn said that a Vatican-ordered investigation into a retired auxiliary bishop has ended, concluding that allegations against Bishop Raymond Chappetto are unfounded. Chappetto, a now-retired auxiliary bishop who was vicar general of the Brooklyn diocese, was accused in 2021 of administrative negligence, namely failing to disclose appropriately that a Brooklyn priest was Read more
World
Vatican offers pilgrimages as key occasion for jubilee indulgence
Thursday, May 16th, 2024On Monday, the Vatican issued norms for obtaining the traditional plenary indulgence during the upcoming Jubilee of Hope, emphasising individual and group pilgrimages to holy sites. Holding the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” the jubilee is set to open Dec 24, and will formally close on Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, in 2026. In Read more
Priest urges Church to reject the “heresy of triumphalism”
Monday, May 13th, 2024
Fr Tomáš Halík, a renowned Czech theologian and philosopher, says the Catholic Church should shed the “heresy of triumphalism” and foster a more synodal approach to evangelisation in today’s secular climate. Halík recently participated in a synodal gathering convened by the Vatican, highlighting concerns over parish priests’ exclusion from previous synodal sessions and stressing the Read more
In support of victims of clergy abuse
Monday, May 13th, 2024
Isabelle Chartier-Siben, a respected physician and victimologist, has shared insights into supporting survivors of abuse, notably within religious communities. As president of the association ‘C’est à dire’ (‘That is to say’), Chartier-Siben (pictured) has dedicated some thirty years to aiding individuals navigating the aftermath of abuse. In a recent interview with the French publication La Read more
A ‘Theology of Love’ needed to navigate modern challenges
Monday, May 13th, 2024
In a recent address to members of the International Network for Societies for Catholic Theology (INSeCT), Pope Francis stressed the necessity for theologians to engage with the contemporary world and the importance of a ‘theology of love’ and wisdom. In his prepared text, Pope Francis told group members that theology is “a significant and necessary Read more
Chaos readying Rome for Jubilee 2025 celebrations
Monday, May 13th, 2024
Preparations for next year’s Jubilee in Rome are frantically gearing for a humungous rush to finish in time. The once-every-quarter-century event is likely to bring about 32 million pilgrims to Rome Last Thursday at St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over a ceremony where the papal bull, or official edict, for the Jubilee was read. Read more
Some Catholic AI bots are useful
Monday, May 13th, 2024
The idea of AI bots lurking about can be somewhat disturbing. But some can be useful – such as AI bots that are repositories of Catholic teaching. Learning and research These days, if you have a question about a Catholic Church teaching, there are several ways you could check out the answer. You could open Read more
Pope: Liturgy is a personal and communal encounter with God
Monday, May 13th, 2024The sacred liturgy is a personal and communal encounter with God; Pope Francis marvelled as he received professors and students of the Athenaeum University of Saint Pacian of Barcelona in the Vatican on Friday. In his remarks, the Holy Father underscored the incredible value of the liturgy and recalled his, having declared this year ahead Read more
Cardinal Parolin: No peace without dialogue
Monday, May 13th, 2024“While I reaffirm the inalienable right to self-defence, war is always a failure of humanity as a whole and not just of the individual parties involved.” All wars are in contradiction with human dignity and “are not destined by their nature to solve problems, but rather to exacerbate them.” The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Read more
Whoopi Goldberg offered Pope Francis a role in Sister Act 3
Monday, May 13th, 2024Whoopi Goldberg is in the process of working on Sister Act 3 — and she has high hopes that a special guest star will make an appearance in the movie. During an appearance on the Tonight Show on May 8, the Oscar-winning actress, 68, opened up about the moment she met Pope Francis at the Read more