If a sociologist from Mars were to come down to earth to study popular religion in Italy, the conclusion might easily be that the Christian “Holy Trinity” in il bel paese is not actually composed of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but rather of God, the Virgin Mary, and Padre Pio. Looking Read more
An Italian priest is worried at the “quality” of people’s confessions he hears and he believes some penitents are misusing Pope Francis’s words. In a letter to the chiesa website last month, the confessor recounted two instances that illustrated what he believes is a trend. One man, who repented of a series of sins against Read more
“What might a more merciful family or school or parish or workplace or diocese look like?” This is the question posed by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops in their recent Pastoral Letter. “We are not here to give answers but let us all look to the example the Holy Father, Pope Francis, is giving us.” “The Read more
The Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong has opened the Holy Door at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva. He told Catholics who were part of a march from the Marist Brothers’ High School ground to the Sacred Heart Cathedral that opening the door of mercy means renewing their commitment in their faith and to start Read more
Pope Francis has opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy by calling for a Church that always puts mercy before judgement. In a Mass at St Peter’s Square on December 8, Francis said the holy year is a gift of grace. “How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we affirm that sins Read more
The bishops of England and Wales have discussed whether parishes might celebrate the Third Rite of Reconciliation during the Year of Mercy. But at their November meeting, the bishops did not approve the move, despite some lively discussion. Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth wrote that the bishops acknowledged that valid conditions required for general absolution Read more
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is to attend the opening of the Holy Door by Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica on December 8. The retired pontiff accepted the invitation of Francis to attend the opening. Benedict will not take part in the whole official inauguration of the Jubilee of Mercy. But he will be present Read more
A call has been made for Rome to allow priests silenced for expressing unorthodox views to return to full ministry as part of the Year of Mercy. The annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland this week heard that six of their members had faced sanctions for their views. Among their number Read more
The Vatican’s Christmas tree will be unveiled early this year in order to coincide with the jubilee Year of Mercy. The 32-metre spruce tree from Bavaria was erected on November 18 in St Peter’s Square. It will be unveiled on December 8, a date when world attention will be on Rome at the start of Read more
A US diocese has converted an ambulance into a mobile confessional. The move by Lafayette diocese in Louisiana is for the upcoming Year of Mercy. The ambulance was donated to the diocese. Bishop Michael Jarrell said he hopes this will be a way for more Catholics to be able to confess their sins. “I think Read more