Posts Tagged ‘Pope John Paul II’

Two top cardinals – only men can be priests

Thursday, June 13th, 2024
only men

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

Without liturgical reform there is no reform of the Church

Monday, February 12th, 2024
LIturgical reform

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

Six decades of Sacrosanctum Concilium in New Zealand

Monday, December 4th, 2023
Sacrosanctum Concilium,

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: advisor to presidents and popes

Monday, December 4th, 2023
Henry Kissinger

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 picture of Pope

Monday, August 7th, 2023

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

Pope creates commission to identify modern-day martyrs

Monday, July 10th, 2023

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

Pope John Paul II abuse cover-up divides Poland

Monday, March 20th, 2023
Pope John Paul II abuse

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

John Paul II knew about sexual abuse in the Church

Thursday, March 9th, 2023
Pope John Paul II abuse

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

Pell did not approve of Benedict’s resignation

Thursday, September 30th, 2021
Vatican News

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 theologian who wanted to stand tall

Monday, April 12th, 2021
hans kung

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