The leader of the German bishops’ conference has defended a plan by the prelates to offer Communion to divorced Catholics, saying he feels “strengthened” by Pope Francis on the matter despite opposition from the Vatican’s highest doctrinal official. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, chairman of the German Episcopal Conference, says that in reflecting on the opposition to Read more
One of Britain’s most respected theologians says the Church missed a real opportunity to use Monty Python’s Life of Brian as a way of reinforcing Jesus unique message. Reverend Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of King’s College London, said, once denounced as blasphemous and an insult to Christians, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, is in fact Read more
Philadelphia Catholic archbishop, Charles Chaput, has defended his decision to use church funds to help with the bail of Church official, Monsignor William Lynn. City prosecutors had charged Lynn with felony child endangerment, but the state Superior Court ruled that the law that existed at the time did not cover people who did not directly supervise children. Philadelphia Read more
Pope Francis has said men studying for the Roman Catholic priesthood should be properly trained or the Church could risk “creating little monsters” more concerned with their careers than serving people. Describing the formation of future priests as a work of art, not a police action, the Holy Father urged the major superior of priests Read more
Pope Francis delivered a Christmas message this week calling on the faithful to serve the less fortunate around the world. The pope told the faithful not to place themselves above others, but rather lower themselves and place themselves at the service of the poor. “It is an ugly thing when one sees a Christian who does not Read more
The Vatican’s representative in Australia is claiming diplomatic immunity in response to repeated requests for documents that might assist the NSW inquiry into child sex abuse. The Guardian reported that copies of correspondence released by the commission this week reveal the diplomatic stand-off between the papal nuncio, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, and the chair of the Read more
The Advocate, a leading lifestyle magazine which actively promotes gay rights, has named Pope Francis its person of the year. “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?” is the quote that earned the pontiff the title. The holy father’s made the statement during an interview with Read more
Pope Francis has reshuffled the membership of the Congregation for Bishops, one of the most important organizations in the Vatican. On Monday, the Vatican announced the removal of Cardinal Raymond L. Burke from the group and replaced him with another American, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.. Burke is known as an outspoken critic of Read more
Pope Francis has met players from his favourite football team, San Lorenzo, to celebrate their victory in the Argentine top division. He held up a replica of the trophy on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica and was presented with a team jersey. The jersey has the words Francisco Campeon (Francis Champion) emblazoned on the Read more
Pope Francis said in an Italian newspaper interview on Sunday that he is not a Marxist but that even Marxists can be good people. The pontiff also denied reports that he would name a woman cardinal. He also said there was good progress in cleaning up Vatican finances and confirmed that he would visit Israel Read more