International

“There is no contradiction for a Priest to Marry” Pope Francis in new interview

In a new interview, Pope Francis has discussed the possibility of revising the Western discipline of priestly celibacy. “There is no contradiction for a priest to marry. Celibacy in the Western Church is a temporary prescription: I do not know if it is settled in one way or another, but it is temporary in this […]

asteroids named after three Jesuits and a Pope

These are the names of the four asteroids named after three astronomers from the Vatican Observatory, and Pope Gregory XIII. Pope Gregory, who was born Ugo Boncompagni, is the Pope to whom we owe the reform of the calendar (later known as the Gregorian Calendar) and the beginning of the tradition of papal astronomers and […]

10 years of Pope Francis: Significantly more women working at the Vatican

There are currently 1,165 female employees working for the Pope, compared to only 846 in the year Francis took office in 2013. The percentage of women in the total workforce at the Vatican rose in the current pontificate from just under 19.2 to 23.4 per cent today. These figures refer to the two administrative units Holy […]

German bishops’ leader rejects Vatican caution on Synodal Council

Bishop Georg Bätzing has told reporters that the German bishops’ conference will proceed with the formation of a Synodal Council, despite clear opposition from the Vatican. Bishop Bätzing, the president of the episcopal conference, said that the Synodal Council—composed of bishops and lay people, and tasked with setting policies for the Church in Germany—would be […]

Nicaraguan gov. shutters Catholic universities, aid agency

The Nicaraguan government announced on March 2 that it has seized the assets of two Catholic universities and of Caritas Nicaragua, and effectively shuttered their operations by rescinding their legal status in the country. The announcement comes amid an ongoing push against the Church by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, which has included the expulsion of religious […]

Call to ‘abolish the clergy’ ignites controversy in Belgium

A booklet arguing that “to abolish clericalism, we must abolish the clergy” has ignited controversy among Belgium’s Catholics. Following the document’s publication, a petition opposing its thesis gathered more than 600 signatures in 48 hours, according to local media. The almost 60-page text, entitled “Restore the Church to the People of God: To put an end to clericalism,” was […]

German Synodal Assembly allows women to preach at Mass

The final assembly of the German Synodal Way took place in Frankfurt March 9-11, where 230 bishops and lay representatives discussed issues such as blessings for homosexual couples, the ordination of women, a relaxation of mandatory celibacy and greater church involvement for lay people. The agenda, with 10 resolution texts, reflected the will of the […]

Dutch cardinal defends plan to end Sunday celebrations without priests

A Dutch cardinal has said that he is pressing ahead with a plan to phase out Sunday Word and Communion services in the absence of a priest within his territory. Cardinal Willem Eijk, the Archbishop of Utrecht, said in a Feb. 14 letter that he was committed to eliminating the priestless Sunday celebrations over the […]

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Pope: Red Cross’ humanitarian work shows that fraternity is possible

New Vatican document lists ‘grave violations’ of human dignity