Archbishop Charles Balvo, Vatican nuncio to the Czech Republic, denounced the “scourge of corruption” at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Thursday. Archbishop Charles Balvo, head of the Holy See delegation to the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, also presented Pope Francis’ new law for limiting corruption and increasing Read more
An article in a Jesuit magazine describing alleged exploitation of nuns in Catholic convents has been criticized as an attempt to silence members of women’s religious orders who have begun to speak out against sexual abuse by priests. “I think there is a possibility of a revolt of religious sisters,” said Lucetta Scaraffia, the former Read more
The new parish instructions could the the subject of a discussion at the Vatican, if German bishops want to air their views about them, says Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. Stella (pictured), whose congregation issued the new parish instructions last month, says he would be pleased to receive the bishops Read more
Chinese government spies hacked Vatican computer networks, a US firm that tracks state-backed cyber attacks has reported. The apparent espionage effort also included hacking Catholic diocese of Hong Kong and the head of the Hong Kong Study Mission, who is seen as Pope Francis’ de facto representative to China. Security firm Recorded Future, which detected Read more
During the Angelus on Sunday, a call invited young people around the world to perform “gestures of tenderness” toward the elderly, as many are forced into isolation to observe Covid-19 health guidelines. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life has quickly answered that call and launched ‘The elderly are your grandparents’ campaign. In a Read more
New Vatican guidelines for parishes urge communities to abandon “outdated” models and to embrace a spirit of “missionary evangelization.” Rather than prescribing new norms or policies for parish life, the guidelines encourage Catholics to think prayerfully about what their parishes are, and what they’re for. According to the guidelines, parishes “represent a valuable opportunity for Read more
A manual to protect minors from predatory clergy has been published by the Vatican. Targeted at bishops and religious superiors conducting in-house investigations into allegations of priests who rape and molest minors and vulnerable adults, the long-awaited publication offers advice about how to handle cases of clergy sex crimes. “These documents constitute an ‘instrument’ intended Read more
The Vatican COVID-19 Commission says a “tsunami” of humanitarian crises is threatening world peace. These crises have been caused by the coronavirus emergency, conflict and decreased security around the globe, Vatican cardinal , Peter Turkson says. Echoing Pope Francis, Turkson is calling for a global ceasefire during the pandemic. This way, assistance can safely be Read more
Pope Francis has ordered a Polish bishop to leave his diocese and let someone else run it. Bishop of Kalisz, Edward Janiak must stay away while he is being investigated for covering up sexual abuse cases. He will retain the title of bishop for the meantime, however. The cases Janiak allegedly covered up featured in Read more
The Vatican has praised a Philippine diocese for becoming the first in the entire Catholic Church to adopt renewable energy. Vatican officials have released a document offering a guide for Catholics on how to take care of the earth as God’s creation and man’s “common home,” citing the diocese’s response to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Read more