Whenever he’s been approached about the issue, Pope Francis is clear that priestly celibacy is not up for grabs, despite the fact that it is a discipline and not doctrine.
Pope Francis
U.S. Hierarchy Stop Short of Mandating Lay Involvement in Bishop Accountability
After three days of intense debate over the role of the laity in overseeing bishops accused of abuse or its cover-up, the U.S. Catholic bishops voted to enact new standards for holding bishops accountable that include lay involvement, although stopping short of making it a mandatory requirement.
Retired US Bishop Likely to Face Vatican Trial for Multiple Acts of Abuse
At a time when the U.S. Catholic bishops are meeting to vote on new measures for bishop accountability, Pope Francis has given the green light for a penal process for a retired U.S. bishop accused of multiple accounts of abuse.
Pope Francis Says There Can Be No Justice Without ‘Social Rights’
According to Pope Francis, the world today is living in an era of changes where “the soul of our peoples is at stake.”
Pope Says Holy Spirit Brings Harmony to World of Contradictions
Francis noted that even though the Spirit is both the first and final thing the Church needs, it only goes where He is invited.
Group Protests Outside Baltimore Hotel, Objects to Proposals on Abuse
As has been the case for years now, a small group of protesters dismissive of the U.S. bishops’ efforts to enact reforms in their handling of abuse cases gather outside the Baltimore hotel where they conduct their general meeting.
Vatican Issues Document on Challenges of ‘Gender Ideology’ to Catholic Education
Titled Male and Female He Created Them, the document is in many ways a compilation of several remarks given by Pope Francis, who has often expressed his concern over the impact gender ideology has on children.
Quarter of U.S. Catholics Say They Have Skipped Mass Because of Abuse Crisis
After the survey for this study was conducted, the Vatican issued new guidelines on abuse, which makes it mandatory for all clerics and members of religious orders to report cases of clerical abuse to Church authorities, including when committed by bishops or cardinals.
Bishop Aims to Bring ‘Joy of the Gospel’ to Kentucky Diocese
Bishop John Stowe is calling for a new emphasis on encountering the diverse communities within the diocese of central and eastern Kentucky.
Pope Says He Wants to Visit Iraq in 2020
Announcing his desire to visit Iraq in 2020, Pope Francis called for a peaceful resolution to crises in the Middle East.
