In the galaxy of Italian Catholicism, Alberto Melloni and Sandro Magister may not quite be matter and anti-matter, but they’re definitely not on the same planet. Melloni is a progressive historian and essayist, an exponent of the “Bologna School” and its liberal reading of Vatican II, while Magister, an influential journalist, is a voice for … Read more
According to a report by the Telegraph, a UK court has ordered the Vatican to turn over confidential texts and emails between Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Venezuelan Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the top two officials in the Secretariat of State, despite claims from a Vatican official that doing so would constitute a “grave sin.” … Read more
With Texas on the verge of allowing state police to arrest migrants and order them back across the border, the U.S. Bishops’ Conference Migration chair has criticized both the “false narrative” he believes the policy would accentuate, and the hardship it would force on migrants. “It saddens me,” Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, the … Read more
Participants in this month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality selected by organizers to brief reporters have praised the process as open and balanced, saying everyone is welcome in the Church and there is no “private agenda” driving the discussion. They also applauded the process as being inclusive, and said the synod has done a sufficient … Read more
Warning that “the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point,” Pope Francis on Wednesday released a new document urging dramatic action to combat climate change ahead of the U.N. COP28 summit scheduled for Nov. 30-Dec. 12 in Dubai. The new document, titled Laudate Deum, or “Praise God,” amounts … Read more
From Crux: U.S. bishops have consistently opposed the “Secure the Border Act of 2023” and the provisions outlined in the “Continuing Appropriations and Border Enhancement Act of 2024” budget proposal. Broglio said in his letter that the provisions are “counterproductive and harmful.” “My brother bishops and I continue to believe that such provisions would … Read more
Despite being expelled in July from his Jesuit order over charges of sexual, spiritual and psychological abuse, famed Slovenian artist Father Marko Rupnik’s base of operations in Rome has drawn a clean bill of health from the pope’s diocese, which praised his Centro Aletti for fostering “a healthy community life free of particular critical issues.” … Read more
Argentina’s presidential election in October is shaping up as a political and cultural battle between a right-wing populist and… the Pope. Javier Milei is the politician. The 52-year-old economist was largely unknown before 2021 but came out on top in the presidential primaries in August, having “pledged to wage a ‘cultural battle’ to transform Argentina into a … Read more
At the funeral Mass for Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany said that there is “much to be celebrated,” from Hubbard’s life, while also acknowledging that his predecessor “was not an uncontroversial figure at times.” Scharfenberger made the comments during his homily at the funeral Mass, held at the parish of St. … Read more
About a month after Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh cancelled a Mass in solidarity with LGBTQ Catholics, the organization that planned the Mass says they have met with Zubik and are hopeful a similar kind of liturgy will take place this fall. Kevin Hayes, president of the Board of Directors of Catholics for Change in … Read more