At the beginning of my visit to Ireland, I am grateful for the invitation to address this distinguished assembly representing the civil, cultural and religious life of the country, together with the members of the diplomatic corps and guests.
Pope Francis
Capuchins at Dublin Homeless Center Say Pope Francis Comes ‘As a Brother’
Just hours after landing in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, the “pope of the poor” will pay a visit to Dublin’s neediest population where he’ll be welcomed into a very special family, one that holds special weight in his vision of the Church’s role in the world.
Church Can’t Teach Family and Love Without Facing Abuse Scandals, Cardinal Says
Cardinal Blase Cupich offered a powerful admission that Church leaders “cannot pretend to teach” on matters such as the family and love without acknowledging the scandal of clerical sex abuse, which looms ever larger over the global Catholic Church at the moment.
Holiness Is the Fulfillment of Humanity
I have long thought that some people are afraid of holiness. I guess I should include myself in that group. We seem to fear that holiness involves the shrinking of humanity, a denial of everything that we hold dear about being human. Of course, the opposite is the truth. Holiness is the fulfillment of humanity, the enriching of what is most wonderful about being human.
Pope Francis Pens Personal Letter in Response to Abuse
Pope Francis has responded to new reports of clerical sexual abuse and the ecclesial cover-up of abuse. In an impassioned letter addressed to the whole People of God, he calls on the Church to be close to victims in solidarity and to join in acts of prayer and fasting in penance for such “atrocities”.
Vatican Responds to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
Regarding the report made public in Pennsylvania this week, there are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow. The Holy See treats with great seriousness the work of the Investigating Grand Jury of Pennsylvania and the lengthy Interim Report it has produced.
Senators in Pope’s Argentina Reject Liberalization of Abortion
Senators in Pope Francis’ native Argentina voted against a bill that would have legalized abortion on demand until week 14 of a pregnancy early Aug. 9, following a marathon session that came as the latest twist in a three-month national debate marked with massive public rallies both in favor and against the measure.
Pope Changes Teaching on Death Penalty, Now ‘Inadmissible’
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the death penalty now is no longer admissible under any circumstances.
After Investigation, Pope Accepts Resignation of Honduran Bishop
After an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of 57-year-old Auxiliary Bishop Juan Jose Pineda Fasquelle.
Leaked Letter Puts Pressure on Chile Cardinal
Despite repeated attempts to distance himself from his country’s sexual abuse crisis, including recently asserting there’s a climate of “slander” against the Catholic Church, Chilean Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati of Santiago is facing mounting scrutiny for his role in the scandals both from outside the Church and within.