In an article written in the January 19, 2019 of La Civilta Cattolica, the former head of the Vatican Press Office, Federico Lombardi, S.J. who was appointed by Pope Francis to be the moderator of the upcoming February Vatican summit on clerical sex abuse, said that if it is not “fully confronted,” the credibility of the church and “all her priests” will “remain seriously wounded” and the ability of the church to proclaim the Gospel “will suffer” as a result.
Cindy Wooden - Catholic News Service
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Pope Francis to U.S. bishops on retreat: Abuse crisis requires conversion and humility
In a letter distributed to the bishops at the beginning of their Jan. 2-8 retreat, Pope Francis said he was convinced their response to the “sins and crimes” of abuse and “the efforts made to deny or conceal them” must be found through “heartfelt, prayerful and collective listening to the word of God and to the pain of our people.”
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Vatican publication looks at ways to raise profile of women in the church
The editor of the “Woman-Church-World” supplement to the Vatican newspaper “L’Osservatore Romano” argued in the January 2, 2019 edition that “the sacrifices of women” are used to “reinforce the power of those who already have it.” The editor, Lucetta Scaraffia, wrote about how the Catholic Church should include women in leadership and decision-making capacities.
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Vatican summit on sex abuse should discuss holding bishops accountable, expert says
A member of the committee organizing Pope Francis’ February summit on the sexual abuse crisis said the meeting should include discussing ways to hold bishops accountable for handling cases correctly.
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For the pope, 2018 was a difficult year to come to terms with abuse crisis
Pope Francis marked the fifth anniversary of his election in March in the midst of a firestorm over his handling of clerical sexual abuse and bishops’ accountability in Chile.
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Surprise! Pope Francis makes several impromptu visits
In keeping with his “Mercy Friday” activities, Pope Francis makes surprise visits to a newspaper and to a therapeutic rehabilitation home in Rome.
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Vatican urges adoption of global compacts on migration, refugees
The Vatican’s Migration and Refugees Section has urged the adoption of nonbinding global compacts concerning the protection and care of migrants and refugees.
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Pedro Arrupe’s sainthood cause may open in February, says Jesuit superior
Plans are underway for a solemn opening in February of the sainthood cause of Father Pedro Arrupe, superior general of the Jesuits from 1965 to 1983.
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Pope recognizes martyrdom of U.S. Christian Brother
Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of De La Salle Christian Brother James Miller, who was born in Wisconsin and was shot to death in Guatemala in 1982.
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Cardinal Sarah: ‘Watering down’ church teaching won’t attract young people
Just because some young people disagree with Catholic moral teaching, including in the area of sexuality, does not mean the church’s teachings are unclear or should change, Cardinal Robert Sarah told the Synod of Bishops.