Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical abuse.
Vatican
On Day of the Disabled, Pope Calls for ‘Full Integration’ in Society
They’re often the first people he greets when holding an audience, so it came as no surprise Dec. 3 when Pope Francis released a message for the World Day of Persons with Disabilities, calling for them to be fully integrated in society, not only through legislation but a much-needed change in mentality.
Diocesan Bishops Discuss Visit to Vatican
Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto described the ad limina visit to Rome Nov. 11-15 as a pilgrimage. The bishops of New York state’s eight dioceses traveled to the Vatican for an official visit to report on the state of their dioceses, and during their time in Rome, the bishops celebrated Mass at the city’s four major basilicas.
New York Bishops Make ‘Ad Limina’ Visits to the Vatican
Bishops from across New York state — including Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the auxiliary bishops of the Brooklyn Diocese — have concluded their joint ad limina visit to report on the status of their dioceses to Pope Francis.
Pope Gets Interfaith Gift from New York
Pave the Way Foundation — a Wantagh, L.I.-based organization whose mission is to “end the malevolent use of religion” — organized a trip to Rome to present the pope with a copy of a Jewish sacred text for use in the Vatican Library.
Confirmed: Embattled Buffalo Bishop in Rome Next Week for Ad Limina Visit
Buffalo’s embattled bishop, Richard Malone, will be in Rome next week as part of the New York region’s scheduled meetings with Vatican officials.
No Plaster Saints: God Gives Grace to Live Holy Lives, Pope Says
The saints were flesh-and-blood people whose lives included real struggles and joys, and whose holiness reminds all the baptized that they, too, are called to be saints, Pope Francis said.
Cardinal Says Synod Seeks to Give Women Greater Role in Church Governance
Catholic bishops are not fully utilizing Church law to maximize the role of women in decision making capacities, Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai said on Oct. 23.
Vatican Confirms Election of Msgr. Peter Vaccari to be President of CNEWA
Monsignor Peter Vaccari, currently rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York, has been elected to succeed Monsignor John E. Kozar as president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association/Pontifical Mission for Palestine.
Amazon Group Denounces Theft and Destruction of Indigenous Statue in Rome
An indigenous organization has denounced the theft and destruction of wooden statue of a naked pregnant woman from a Church in Rome on October 21.