The Vatican has accused a United Nations committee of sowing confusion in its report on the Holy See’s record on child abuse. The Vatican released its formal response to a February report by the UN committee on the rights of the child. The committee concluded that the Vatican maintained a “code of silence” that enabled Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Holy See’
Pope flies over China and sends message to President Xi
Friday, August 15th, 2014As he flew over China’s airspace on his way to Korea, Pope Francis sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping. Soon after crossing into Chinese airspace on August 14, the Pope dispatched the message which read: “I extend the best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the divine blessings of Read more
Vatican calls ‘summit’ of Eastern churches
Friday, November 1st, 2013The Vatican has called a “summit meeting” for the leaders of the Eastern churches in communion with the Holy See, to take place on November 19-22. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, said the meeting would allow the leaders of the Eastern churches to “speak before the Pope on Read more
SSPX scorns prospect of agreement with Holy See
Friday, October 18th, 2013The head of the traditionalist Society of St Pius X has denounced Vatican II, described the post-conciliar Mass as “evil”, and said he is grateful the group never reached an accommodation with the Holy See. Bishop Bernard Fellay also said: “The situation of the Church is a real disaster, and the present Pope is making Read more
Pope Francis acts to reform Holy See’s economy
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
Pope Francis has named an international commission of eight business and legal experts — mainly lay people, including one woman — to plan a reform of the Holy See’s economy and administrative structures. The commission’s president, Maltese economist Dr Joseph Zahra, is already an auditor of the Vatican’s budget management office. The other members come Read more
UN wants answers from Church on child abuse
Friday, July 12th, 2013
A United Nations body charged with child protection has posed a list of tough questions to the Holy See about child abuse by Catholic priests. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has for “detailed information on all cases of child sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy, brothers, or nuns” as Read more
Good and bad money news for Holy See
Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
The Holy See has recovered from one of its worst deficits to post a $NZ3.6 million surplus for 2012, a good news story announced in a week in which “clear failings” were revealed in the processes of the Vatican Bank. In its annual financial statement, the Holy See said better management had helped it recover Read more
Rebuilding the Vatican Bank’s reputation
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013
The president of the “bank” of the Holy See, in this interview with Vatican Radio, opens his campaign to restore credibility to the controversial institution. With more integrity, more transparency, more communication Q: President Ernst von Freyberg, do you like your job, coming from Frankfurt down to Rome, working inside the Vatican? A: It is Read more
SSPX superior reports no progress to followers
Friday, April 19th, 2013The superior of the Society of St Pius X has told his followers that no progress has been made in achieving a canonical reconciliation with the Holy See. In a letter to SSPX members, Bishop Bernard Fellay said negotiations with the Holy See in 2012 put the society in “a delicate position”. He said the Read more
UK diplomat: Make more use of women in the Church
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See says he is looking to the Catholic Church to better use the talents, energy and loyalty of the women in the Church. “Anyone who works with the Holy See network will be aware of the vital role played by women religious in almost every aspect of Church life on Read more