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
Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI felt he had a “duty” to resign from the papacy because of his declining health and the rigorous demands of papal travel. While his heart was set on completing the Year of Faith, the retired pope told Italian journalist Elio Guerriero that after his visit to Mexico and Cuba in March Read more
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Brazilian archbishop who has been dogged by scandals and controversies. Archbishop Aldo di Cillo Pagotto, 66, from Paraíba has been accused of a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male. The archbishop was also under investigation by a local prosecutor for alleged “connivance” in the sexual exploitation of Read more
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has alleged that a so-called gay lobby was operating in the Vatican when he was Pope, but he broke it up. Benedict’s comments were reported in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra. The comments are in a new book of interviews between the retired Pope and journalist Peter Seewald. Corriere della Read more
Pope Francis has said that up to this point in his papacy he hasn’t thought about resigning. The Pope was asked about the subject by two young YouTube stars at a function at the Vatican on Sunday. He was asked if he has ever considered resigning because he finds the demands of his job too Read more
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Brazilian Bishop Paulo Sérgio Machado, who was involved in an alleged drink-driving incident. Bishop Machado was the ordinary of São Carlos, a city of 220,000 in south-eastern Brazil. In September, the bishop was stopped by police after he exhibited signs of intoxication while driving and almost hit a Read more
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Brazilian archbishop in a move reminiscent of the demise of Germany’s Bishop of Bling. The resignation of Archbishop Antonio Carlos Altieri, 63, of Passo Fundo, Brazil, came after a Vatican-ordered apostolic visitation of his archdiocese. The investigation was conducted by Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes. According to a Read more
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the only American bishop to have been convicted of failing to report suspected child abuse. On Tuesday, the Vatican announced the resignation of Bishop Robert Finn of the diocese of St Joseph-Kansas City in Missouri. The announcement cited canon law that a bishop who “has become less able Read more
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien from the rights and privileges of being a cardinal. Cardinal O’Brien had previously admitted sexual misconduct towards several men. He will no longer be invited to attend consistories and other gatherings of cardinals, including an eventual conclave for the election of a new pope. Read more
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has never regretted or doubted his decision to resign two years ago, says his personal secretary. Archbishop Georg Ganswein said Benedict is certain and serene about his decision, made for the good of the Church, because of his waning strength. Archbishop Ganswein said the retired Pope’s usual routine these days involves Read more