In addition to a tidal wave of clergy abuse cases that were filed as New York’s “look back” window took effect on August 14, this week also brought about new scrutiny for three members of the American hierarchy.
Vatican
Cheyenne Police Recommend Criminal Charges Against Retired Wyoming Bishop
Cheyenne’s police department is recommending that charges be brought against two members of the Catholic clergy for abuse during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
St. John Paul II’s Challenge Is Still Valid: “Learn Rome!”
Back in the day, when St. John Paul II would meet with seminarians in the Eternal City each year, he would challenge them to “imparare Roma.” It’s a phrase that technically violates the rules of Italian grammar, but everyone knew what he meant: “Learn Rome!”
Why the Pope Probably Wasn’t Trolling Trump on Populism
I got a call Saturday to come on air from my friends at CNN, where I serve as senior Vatican analyst. The producers wanted me to join a morning news program, following a recent interview with Pope Francis in which he compared populist rhetoric about “us” and “we” to the kind of talk associated with the Nazis.
St. Joseph’s Parishioner Meets Pope
Kelly Calderon, who grew up in East Flatbush and is a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights, had an experience in June that many Catholics only dream about: She met the Holy Father in person.
In Letter, Pope Encourages Priests Dejected by Abuse Crisis
Pope Francis acknowledged the shame and frustration felt by priests who are discouraged by the actions of fellow clergy members who betrayed the trust of their flock through sexual abuse and abuse of conscience and power.
Religious Sisters at Forefront of Fight Against Human Trafficking, Slavery
A worldwide network of 2,000 Catholic religious sisters marked the 10th anniversary of its efforts to combat human trafficking and slavery July 29.
Pope Makes Surprise Visit to Nun Recovering From Surgery
An elderly religious sister who worked for many years at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the papal residence, was at her congregation’s house recovering from surgery when she received an unexpected visit from Pope Francis.
Cuban Cardinal, Dead at 83, Was a Truly Remarkable Churchman
Born in 1936, Ortega was ordained in 1964, while the Second Vatican Council was still underway and just five years after Fidel Castro had swept to power.
Vatican: Bones Found at Cemetery Do Not Belong to Missing Woman
The Holy See Press Office said that the results of a morphological analysis of bones and bone fragments found at an ossuary in a Vatican cemetery concluded that none belonged to Emanuela Orlandi, a young Italian woman who has been missing for more than 30 years.