As Pope Francis grapples with defiant bishops in Germany and the United States, a high-ranking Vatican official who oversees church law clarified the protocols for disciplining a bishop.
Europe
Posted inFaith, News
Polish archbishop urges Pope Francis to resist German reform demands on sexuality and gender
The president of the Polish bishops’ conference has bitterly criticized demands for liberal change by the church in neighboring Germany and urged the pope not to allow them to dominate the Rome Synod on Synodality.
Posted inFaith, News
Male and female lay theologians may now perform baptisms in German diocese
26 non-ordained theologians have been authorized to administer the sacrament of baptism in church liturgies for the first time in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart in south-western Germany,
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: ‘Escape to Florence’ is a refreshingly apolitical novel in our hyper-politicized age
‘Escape to Florence’ stays within the bounds of its own story: the intimate and historical particulars of dual love stories, and the rich Italian backdrop against which both are set.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Is it Ireland’s turn to ward off a toxic populism?
The protest was organized over social media, where it was dubbed “Call to the Dáil,” drawing participants from far-right groups and individuals nurturing a host of grievances and anxieties about contemporary Irish society, from Covid-19 conspiracies to immigration and transgender issues, housing shortages and the economy.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Poland’s new cardinal: Pope Francis’ critics behave ‘completely unjustly’
“We behave completely unjustly, unjustly toward the pope because the opposition to him is always based on one or two phrases taken out of context,” Cardinal Ryś said in an exclusive interview America.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Pope Francis has called on Europe to change its migration policies—will it?
On his visit to Marseille last week, Pope Francis decried the “fanaticism of indifference” on the plight of migrants who risk their lives—and all too often lose them—in the attempt to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Is a law that will stop most prosecutions of killings during ‘The Troubles’ really about protecting British soldiers?
With so many political and cultural forces arrayed against the Legacy and Reconciliation proposal, why has Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government pressed on?
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholics and Protestants both oppose law to curb prosecutions for Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ killings
Despite deep political fractures surrounding the issue, the British Parliament passed a bill which would halt most prosecutions for killings by militant groups and British soldiers during the Troubles.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Helping pilgrims find Christ on Spain’s 500-mile Camino de Santiago
Pilgrims take the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pondering deeply personal questions, seeking insight through the journey or simply wanting time to reflect and encounter God. With Sister Katherine, they are able to talk through their experience and its unique lessons.