The Catholic bishops of Australia are considering recommendations from a report which would increase the participation of laypeople-especially women-in the administrative affairs of the local churches.
Australia
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: Will the Royal Commission’s investigation bring any consequences for Cardinal Pell?
On this week’s episode of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, the hosts discuss the Australian Royal Commission’s findings that Cardinal George Pell knew about priests abusing children in the Ballarat diocese as early as 1973.
Posted inFaith, News
Inquiry: Pell knew of abuse by Australian pedophile priest
Cardinal Pell was formerly Pope Francis’ finance minister and at one time the third-highest ranking cleric in the Vatican.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Cardinal Pell: Prayers, knowledge of innocence sustained me in prison
Cardinal George Pell, in his first television interview after being released from prison after his sexual abuse conviction was overturned, reflects on how he endured his incarceration.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican responds with measure to Cardinal Pell’s acquittal and release from prison
“The Holy See, which has always expressed confidence in the Australian judicial authority, welcomes the High Court’s unanimous decision concerning Cardinal George Pell, acquitting him of the accusations of abuse of minors and overturning his sentence.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Australia’s high court overturns guilty verdict against Cardinal George Pell on final appeal
The High Court of Australia announced that in a unanimous 7-0 decision, they found that “the jury, acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt.”
Posted inFaith, News
Cardinal Pell’s appeal of abuse conviction to be heard in March
If the High Court fails to overturn the verdict of a 12-person jury that found him guilty of four counts of sexual assault and one count of child rape, Pell, 78, will spend at least 32 more months in prison.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Priests swap clericals for camouflage to help fight Australian fires
In Australia, priests are joining in the effort to combat the devasting bushfires that have swept the country.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Bishops express sorrow, support after U.S. firefighters die in Australia
The three Americans were among eight firefighters and 31 people total who have died in the wildfires since September.
Posted inFaith, News
Committee to recommend Australian bishops give laity certain controls
The plan would cede control over financial, human resources and governance functions to professional laity.