Maintaining synod confidentiality was one of Pope Francis’s particular requests of delegates during this month’s synod on synodality in Rome. But one delegate, German cardinal Gerhard Müller, immediately defied the pontiff’s request. Müller, a former head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, is known as a vocal critic of Francis’s synod on synodality. During an Eternal Read more
The producer of a new film about St Mother Teresa is defending their movie after one of the nun’s chief advocates argued it was hampered by “grave errors” in how the film’s director portrayed the life of the celebrated charity worker. The film, “Mother Teresa and Me,” uses a framing narrative of a young woman Read more
Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer has been lit in pink to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The 38-metre Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. It has been used for many promotional events in the past, including campaigns by climate activists. Cancer patients Read more
Hundreds of thousands of Latin chant pieces have been digitised and made available to the general public thanks to the use of artificial intelligence. Behind the imposing rood screen, about forty Benedictine nuns take their places in the choir stalls as their superior intones, Deus in adjutórium meum inténde (“God, come to my assistance”). Seven Read more
Pope Francis and the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem have responded to the sudden outbreak of conflict in Israel and Palestine over the weekend. The pope said at the end of a public address on Sunday he is following the violence “with apprehension and sorrow” and issued an appeal to “please stop weapons attacks!” The head Read more
In a momentous event at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis inaugurated the Synod on Synodality with a powerful message, “the primary task of the synod is to focus on God and be a Church that shows mercy to humanity.” Pope Francis presided over the opening Mass attended by nearly 500 priests, bishops and cardinals, emphasising Read more
Liberal and conservative Catholics who anticipate significant shifts in Catholic teaching and practice from the upcoming session of the Synod of Bishops are likely to be let down. The comments come from the Vatican’s new doctrinal chief, Cardinal Victor Fernández. However, he is not ruling out the possibility of future change. Fernández says that those Read more
Emeritus Professor of Law Fr Frank Brennan SJ has sharply criticised the Albanese government for its handling of the Indigenous Voice referendum. Brennan, a staunch advocate for giving Indigenous Australians a voice in parliament, accuses the Albanese government of three major errors he believes have set back the cause. According to Brennan, the following have Read more
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the newly appointed head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), has introduced a “democratic system” for addressing queries and complaints within the department. This change reflects a departure from his previous practice of responding directly through social media channels such as Facebook. “I was used to Read more
An annual Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral, with a rich tradition spanning over half a century, has been relocated due to ongoing Vatican restrictions on celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass. For more than 50 years, the Latin Mass Society has hosted this annual sung Mass, dedicated to the repose of the souls of its deceased Read more