Two prominent cardinals have reaffirmed that only men can be ordained to the priesthood, aligning with Pope Francis’s recent statements. “Women cannot be called to this office” Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller stated during an interview with Swiss portal kath.ch on 7 June. Müller, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, explained Read more
Liturgical reform is crucial in the ongoing renewal of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis said this to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on Thursday. After what has been labelled as a significant address, discussion took place against the backdrop of the dicastery’s annual plenary assembly. The assembly focused Read more
The promulgation of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, stands as a pivotal moment that ushered in a new era for the Catholic Church. Sixty years hence, we can reflect on the impact of this document on New Zealand’s theological landscape and liturgical practices. Sacrosanctum Concilium is the cornerstone of Vatican II because Read more
Henry Kissinger, the renowned American diplomat who passed away on November 29 at the age of 100, proved to be a counsellor to presidents and a confidant to popes. Spanning multiple decades and contentious geopolitical eras, Kissinger’s interactions with the Vatican reveal a tapestry of discussions and alliances. In a notable instance in 1975, Kissinger Read more
Sinéad O’Connor meant to attack her abusive mum by tearing up a picture of Pope John Paul II on US television in 1992. The singer, whose remains have just been returned to her family after she was found dead in London aged 56, caused a storm when she ripped up the image of the pontiff Read more
A quarter of a century after John Paul II held an ecumenical celebration during the Great Jubilee of 2000 to honour Christian martyrs, Pope Francis has decided to update the work of his Polish predecessor by compiling a new martyrology of Christians of all denominations. The Vatican announced on July 5 that the 86-year-old pope Read more
Claims Pope John Paul II knew of child sex abuse cases in the Catholic Church during his tenure as Archbishop of Krakow in Poland, but did not take action, have created divisions in Poland. The accusations on Polish TV channel TVN24 have sparked a national debate. Some defend the late pontiff’s legacy, while others demand Read more
A Polish TV report has claimed that Pope John Paul II, when he was Archbishop Karol Wojtyla, knew about sexual abuse within the Catholic Church but failed to take appropriate action. The report aired on TVN24, a major news channel in Poland, and has sparked controversy among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. A former priest named Read more
Speaking openly on his views about the three most recent popes and other matters, Australian Cardinal George Pell says he “never really approved” of Pope Benedict’s resignation from the papacy. And, of the three most recent popes, Pell said he was closest to Benedict. His remarks came during “The Church Up Close” a webinar hosted Read more
Hans Küng, the contentious Roman Catholic theologian who died at 93 on April 6, once explained his combative nature by pointing out that he was Swiss. “I come from the land of William Tell and we weren’t brought up to be subservient,” he said. “Why should we always crawl? Standing tall suits a theologian too.” Read more