Pope Francis told gatherings of clergy, religious sisters, and catechists in Indonesia and PNG that proclaiming the Gospel does not mean “imposing one’s own faith or opposing it to others, proselytising”. He said proclaiming the Gospel should “always be done with great respect and fraternal affection for all”. Fraternal living means “accepting one another and Read more
Bishop Joseph E Strickland of Tyler, Texas, has adamantly denied any misconduct connected to the Vatican’s investigation into his actions and those of his diocese, stating “I’ve got nothing to hide.” The apostolic visitation, which he described as “not fun,” was conducted by delegates from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, focusing on various aspects of Read more
The Vatican has launched a formal investigation into Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland, a figure known for his controversial statements. Among the comments, Strickland accused Pope Francis of undermining the Catholic faith. This investigation, known as an apostolic visitation, was confirmed by Elizabeth Slaten, the Diocese of Tyler, Texas communications director. Slaten revealed that the visitation Read more
Pope Francis has ordered an apostolic visitation of the Archdiocese of Cologne, in Germany, to examine the pastoral situation and the handling of sexual abuse cases. The archdiocese said that the pope’s apostolic visitors would evaluate “possible mistakes” made by its leader, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. “During the first half of June, the Holy See’s Read more
Hundreds of complaints about their bishop from parishioners in a Memphis diocese has led to an official Vatican investigation. Last week, two archbishops were sent to Memphis on a three-day fact-finding mission. The archbishops’ visit (called an “Apostolic Visitation),” involved them meeting with clergy and parishioners. They will develop a report of their findings and Read more
The Sisters of Mercy in the United States are among religious orders being asked to come to Rome for further conversation. This follows an apostolic visitation of women’s religious orders in the US several years ago. The Sisters of Mercy’s US communications director confirmed the request to visit Rome, but said there would be no further Read more
The Vatican has asked the superiors of 15 US orders of Catholic sisters to come to Rome to discuss concerns and provide clarifications. This comes after the 2014 final report on a Vatican apostolic visitation of US orders of religious women. Last week, it was reported that the superior of the Sisters of Loretto had Read more
The superior of a US order of Catholic sisters has been summoned to the Vatican to discuss “areas of concern”. The Vatican’s congregation for religious life issued the requirement to the Sisters of Loretto. The order will be asked to explain alleged “ambiguity” in its adherence to Church teaching and its way of living religious Read more
The Vatican has conducted an apostolic visitation of Kansas City-St Joseph diocese in the United States, to investigate the leadership of Bishop Robert Finn. Bishop Finn was the first Catholic prelate in the United States to be found criminally guilty of shielding a guilty priest in the sex abuse crisis. Canadian Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Read more
The Vatican plans an apostolic visitation of the Church in Scotland, to probe charges of widespread corruption, according to The Scotsman newspaper. Though no word has come from the Vatican, the newspaper said a priest who accused the resigned Cardinal Keith O’Brien of homosexual conduct was told there would be an investigation in a meeting Read more