Gossip is designed to ruin an individual’s or group’s reputation; it demonises its victims in private. “There is no such thing as innocent gossip,” says Pope Francis. Conspiracy thinking is a public expression of gossip. It is the belief that an organisation made up of individuals or groups was or is acting secretly to achieve Read more
The handling of cases involving clergy must be “completely transparent, just like in the state system” says a missiology lecturer at the Catholic School of Philosophy in Maumere on the island of Flores in Indonesia. Father John Mansford Prior’s opinion piece specifically addressed the resignation of Bishop Hubertus Leteng of Ruteng on Flores. It was published in the October Read more
(RNS) Pope Francis leaves on Monday (Oct. 31) for an overnight trip to Sweden, a historically Protestant country that today is one of the most secular in the world. The visit is to mark the start of observances of next year’s 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which traditionally dates from Oct. 31, 1517, when Martin Read more
Let’s face it, shocking information is interesting. But, it is wrong to entertain it. If we don’t spread gossip or talk negatively about others, yet find ourselves in the position of hearing it, how can that hurt us personally? 10 reasons why even just listening to gossip or unjust detraction is harmful to our spiritual Read more
So, the pope is cool and “groovy” for telling priests and nuns not to “drop a gossip bomb” on their peers. He told members of the clergy in an improvised speech: “If you get an urge to say something against a brother or a sister, to drop a gossip bomb, bite your tongue! Hard!” We’ve Read more
Pope Francis, Friday, likened a person who gossips to “a terrorist who throws a bomb,” telling his followers that sowing divisions is a sickness within the Catholic Church. Speaking during his homily at his Santa Marta residence, Francis criticized people who think gossip is harmless. “Gossiping is like terrorism because the person who gossips is Read more
An Italian priest has closed down all activities in his parish, apart from Mass, in an attempt to stamp out rumours he fathered a child. Fr Luciano Venturi, 50, parish priest of Monteobizzo di Pavullo in Modena, has endured the claims for more than a year. On August 30, as Sunday Mass was about to Read more
Pope Francis has told members of the Vatican’s security force to intervene with people they find gossiping and backstabbing. On September 27, the Pope celebrated Mass for the Vatican’s security personnel. In addition to the more colourful Swiss Guard, the Vatican’s other security body is its own police force, the gendarme corps. The corps of Read more
Gossiping about colleagues, friends and strangers should no longer be looked upon as a naughty indulgence, according to a new book by a New Zealand scholar. Talking about someone when they are not present is not only an enjoyable pastime, but the positive power of gossip helps form important observations about people and societies, says When Read more
Among the dangers of a “sterile” form of celibacy are bitterness and gossip, Pope Francis told a group of Italian priests and bishops on July 26. When a priest disagrees with his bishop or when bishops disagree with each other, they must air their differences – even loudly – but never talk behind each other’s backs, Pope Read more