The New Zealand Catholic bishops’ election statement wants elected politicians to focus on issues that matter. They say that scandals and trivia that dominate public debate shouldn’t be on the 2023 election agenda. The bishops’ Election Statement for the 2023 General Election says increasing numbers of people are becoming disillusioned and people are disenfranchised because Read more
The Pope’s popularity in Italy has dropped from 88 percent in 2013 to 71 percent in 2018. But you’d be mistaken to think that the decline has to do with Archbishop Viganò’s charge that Francis had covered-up for Cardinal McCarrick. The poll was taken before that story broke. According to the poll’s author, much of Read more
Despite opposition from some quarters and fresh revelations of Vatican scandal, Pope Francis is at peace with his reformist course, a senior advisor says. Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga said that anyone trying to do good “will have opposition”. “The books of the Bible said, especially the Book of Wisdom, ‘If you want to follow Read more
Two separate, highly embarrassing Church scandals have generated lurid coverage in the Italian press. A north Italian priest has been removed from office after allegations he looked for gay lovers on the Internet and had been involved in gay orgies. The priest admitted online to sexual relationships with other religious figures – as well as Read more
Pope Francis has ordered an inquiry into an Italian bishop after scandalous behaviour by some of the priests in his diocese. Albenga-Imperia diocese in northern Italy has been seen as hosting a number of so-called “playboy priests”, who frequently broke the law. An apostolic visitor will assess the capability of Bishop Mario Oliveri, 70, who Read more
The bishop in charge of evangelisation in England and Wales has resigned after revealing he had been “unfaithful” to his “promises as a Catholic priest”. Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel and Brighton diocese said in a statement read in churches that his unfaithfulness had gone back several years. He apologised for the damage and hurt Read more
The priest dubbed the Vatican’s point man for clerical sexual abuse says the media did the Church a service by revealing abuse scandals. In an interview with the Sunday Star Times, American Msgr Robert Oliver praised the media’s role, echoing a tribute he paid early last year. “It’s hard for any group over time to Read more
The prefect of the Vatican’s supreme tribunal, the Apostolic Signatura, says a “false sense of dialogue” has led to “grave scandal” on many Catholic college campuses in the United States. Cardinal Raymond Burke, said it is impossible to reconcile the Catholic identity of a Catholic college with decisions to honour political figures who have taken Read more
Pope Francis may have to replace the cleric he recently appointed to the key position of prelate of the Vatican Bank, according to a veteran journalist who writes of a “scandal near the point of exploding”. Monsignor Battista Mario Salvatore Ricca was described as a “trusted cleric” when the Pope’s appointment was announced on June Read more
An apologetic Cardinal George Pell has appeared before a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into child abuse and vehemently denied personally covering up offending by priests. “No. Never,” the Sydney cardinal told the inquiry. He said the offending had largely escaped the view of Church officials who didn’t know what a “mess” they were presiding over. Cardinal Read more