Month: May 2022

Is the Vatican a nest of spies?

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s recent testimony before the Vatican’s civil court would make the producers of spy thrillers envious

Albania’s Grand Mufti meets with Pope (Vatican Press Office (Albanian))

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

On May 6, Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair, received Haxhi Bujar Spahiu, the Grand Mufti of Albania. The Southeastern European nation of 3.1 million (map) is 59% Muslim, 19% Orthodox, and 18% Catholic.

The parties discussed “the relations …

Cardinal Parolin extends Vatican’s Covid vaccine mandate (National Catholic Register)

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

In an Italian-language decree dated May 6, the Holy See’s Secretary of State extended the Vatican’s Covid restrictions until the end of the month.

Pope huddles with leaders of Roman Curia (Vatican News)

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

Pope Francis convened a meeting on May 9 with the leaders of the Roman Curia. The Vatican did not provide any information about the subject(s) of the meeting.
The apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, which restructures the offices of the Roma…

Pope’s health problems endanger Lebanon trip? (Reuters)

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

A visit by Pope Francis to Lebanon, scheduled for June 12-13, may be postponed because of the Pontiff’s persistent knee problems, the Reuters news service reports.
The Pope has been confined to a wheelchair recently, as painful knee problems hav…

Murder draws attention to gender-based violence in South Africa

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | Catholic Church, Church in Africa, lead, News, South Africa, violence against women |

Thousands of mourners gathered at the home of a major political figure in South Africa on Friday after his daughter was murdered in the latest case of gender-based violence in the country.

Chilean government contemplating investigation into clerical abuse

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | Chile, Church in the Americas, clerical sexual abuse, Jesuits, lead, News, Pope Francis |

After a prominent Jesuit priest was accused of sexually abusing a girl, Chilean president Gabriel Boric announced he is contemplating opening a nationwide investigation into the local Church.

Ukrainian Orthodox leader appeals to Putin (AP)

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

Metropolitan Onufry, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—Moscow patriarchate, has issued a plea to Russian President Putin to allow civilians an opportunity to leave the embattled city of Mariupol.
“It is my pastoral duty” to m…

Pope again rips liturgical traditionalists (Vatican Press Office)

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

Pope Francis denounced “the temptation to liturgical formalism” in a May 7 address to the Pontifical Liturgical Institute.
The Pontiff accused traditionalists of “distancing themselves from the Church, questioning the Council,”…

Pope sends friendly note to gay Catholics (Outreach)

Posted by bcadmin | May 9, 2022 | News |

In response to a request from Father James Martin, the Jesuit advocate for homosexuals, Pope Francis has written that “God is Father and He does not disown any of his children.”
In a brief handwritten note, the Pope went on to say that &ld…