The Vatican’s doctrinal office is to issue a letter to bishops on the relation between hierarchical and charismatic gifts for the Church’s life and mission. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is to release Iuvenescit Ecclesia (“the Church grows young”) on June 14. It will be the CDF’s first major document issued during the Read more
World
Risk of break-up of worldwide Anglican Communion
Friday, June 10th, 2016A deal to avert a break-up of the worldwide Anglican Communion risks collapse amid signals African churches are re-assessing ties with the Church of England. The leader of a powerful bloc of traditionalists representing the majority of the world’s Anglicans said the CofE has crossed a “line” in recent decisions on homosexuality. The Most Rev Read more
Pope makes plan to sack bishops negligent on abuse
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
Pope Francis has issued a new law specifying that a bishop’s negligence with regard to clergy sexual abuse can lead to removal from office. In a motu proprio released on Saurday, the Pope empowered several Vatican dicasteries to investigate such bishops and initiate processes of removal, subject to papal approval. In a preamble to the Read more
Sisters deface Sex Party posters in Aussie
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
Two Missionaries of Charity sisters in Melbourne have sparked controversy after they reportedly defaced political posters from the Australian Sex Party. An image of the nuns was posted on Instagram last week and the Sex Party released it and another photograph to the media on Friday. Sex Party leader Fiona Patten said the pair of sisters Read more
José Mourinho to speak Pope’s words in Fatima film
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
Manchester United’s new manager José Mourinho is lending his voice to the character of Pope Francis in an animated film about Our Lady of Fatima. Portuguese production company Imaginew said Mourinho will be the voice of the Pontiff in four languages – Portuguese, English, Spanish and Italian, the Catholic Herald reported. These are “the languages Read more
Pope discourages priests from seeing people as ‘cases’
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
Pope Francis has exhorted priests not to see people who approach them for spiritual help merely as “cases” to be handled. In a series of reflections for priests who had come to Rome as part of the Year of Mercy celebrations, the Pope said: “Mercy gets its hands dirty.” Francis said he had heard many Read more
Aussie Jew owns Polish church after court battle
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
An Australian Jew now owns a Catholic church in Poland after a court found the local church acted in bad faith in acquiring the land. Dr Ann Drillich from Melbourne was declared the rightful owner of a 4.7 hectare site in Tarnów, an hour’s drive east of Kraków. The land, upon which the church of Read more
Pope signs statutes for Vatican mega-dicastery
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016Pope Francis has signed the statutes for a new “mega-dicastery” in the Vatican for laity, family and life. The Pontifical Councils for Laity and for the Family will become one dicastery, also a pontifical council. The new body should begin its work on September 1, but it is still unknown who will head it. Francis Read more
Argentine Marian apparitions recognised as supernatural
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016A bishop in Argentina has recognised as supernatural the apparitions of Our Lady to a local woman. Bishop Hector Cardelli of San Nicolas in Argentina’s Buenos Aires province made the announcement on May 22 concerning Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas. Apparitions from 1983 to 1990 have been investigated and approved as worthy Read more
Women’s ordination panel split on female deacons
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016Panel members at a conference organised by women’s ordination supporters have different views on conjectured future female deacons. The five-person panel met as part of the “Open to the Door to Dialogue” conference held in Rome earlier this month. Last month, Pope Francis said he would create a commission to study the history of female Read more