The Vatican has dismissed as “baseless” a report that Pope Francis has a benign brain tumour. As reports of the story originally published in Italy’s Quotidiano Nazione spread around the world, the Vatican issued three denials. The report was called “a grave act of irresponsibility, absolutely inexcusable and unconscionable”. Quotidiano Nazionale reported on its front Read more
New thinking about how some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics can receive Communion could be the start of a breakthrough at the synod on the family. In a report back to the synod, the German-speaking small group presented another way of looking at the issue. They argue that the Church might be able to use Read more
A US religious sister at the synod on the family has spoken of her difficulties within one of the small group discussions. Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Maureen Kelleher told the National Catholic Reporter that the ordained men at the synod have a distinct culture and a common background. Sr Kelleher is an auditor at Read more
An Australian archbishop has called for a new pastoral creativity, not an all-or-nothing approach, to families in situations the Church sees as problematic. Speaking a news conference at the synod on the family, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane said he was concerned an “all-or-nothing” approach tended to dominate discussions before and, at times, during the Read more
The editor of a German publication found Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI “bright-eyed, smiling, leaning on a Zimmer frame” at a meeting last week. Kai Diekmann, editor-in-chief of Bild Zeitung, visited the former Pope at his residence inside the Vatican on October 15. Benedict, 88, greeted Diekmann with a warm, two-handed handshake. “He is there on Read more
Bishops at the synod on the family last week grappled with the issue of access to the sacraments for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. In 93 interventions at the synod on Wednesday and Thursday, widely different views were expressed. A key issue is whether there could be any possibility for divorced and remarried people to Read more
A US archbishop has said the Church must respect the decisions divorced and remarried people make in good conscience about their spiritual lives. Speaking to media at the synod on the family in Rome, Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich said he had always respected the inviolability of people’s consciences. “I try to help people along the Read more
Cardinal George Pell has said that the first task of bishops is not to be theologians but to teach, explain, and defend the Church’s faith and morals. The Australian cardinal delivered his intervention at the synod on the family in Rome last week, and an extended form of it was posted to the Catholic Herald’s website. Read more
The Primate of Ireland has criticised the synod on the family’s working document for not recognising the impacts of domestic violence and abuse on families. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh said it would be a mistake for the synod to overlook the “shattering” effects of clerical sexual abuse on families. In his synod intervention, Archbishop Read more
A Polish priest who was a spokesman for World Youth Day 2016 has left his religious order after admitting he fathered a child. Fr Tomas Kijowski left the Salesians in Poland in June after he admitted he had a girlfriend and he had fathered a child. But Polish media only found out about this recently. Read more