British Bishop Richard Williamson, who has denied the Holocaust, has been automatically excommunicated along with the priest he illicitly ordained a bishop.
Vatican
The Indomitable and Effective Cardinal Pell
Shortly after Cardinal George Pell was named Archbishop of Melbourne, he instituted several reforms at the archdiocesan seminary, including daily Mass and the daily celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, both of which had fallen by the wayside in the preceding years.
Pope Announces Holy Year of Mercy
The biblical theme of the year, he said, will be “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” an admonition that applies “especially to confessors,” the pope said with a smile.
What is a Holy Year?
For the Catholic Church, a holy year remains a time of great spiritual significance, and emphasis is placed on the examination of conscience and conversion, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, concrete acts of solidarity and initiatives to restore justice.
Vatican Sets Date for Romero’s Beatification
Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero will be beatified in San Salvador May 23, said Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the chief promoter of the archbishop’s sainthood cause.
A Short Papacy?
Last week, we celebrated two years in the Petrine office for Pope Francis and as is his way, he gave an interview to a television network, Televisa. In the course of the interview, the Holy Father stated: “I have the feeling that my pontificate will be brief… four or five years. I don’t know, even […]
Pope Talks About a Brief Papacy
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – When Pope Francis went out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time, he said he did not prepare what he was going to say, but “I felt deeply that a minister needs the blessing of God, but also of his people.” He did not […]
Church Seeks End to Death Penalty Around the World
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi told the U.N. Human Rights Council: “My delegation contends that bloodless means of defending the common good and upholding justice are possible.”
The Reformer Pope Has Enemies Inside And Outside the Church
A prominent church historian says that Pope Francis is a radical reformer who is facing enemies opposed to at least some parts of his agenda.
Vatican Security on Full Alert
Islamic State militants have threatened the Vatican, but there are no indications of any planned attack, according to the head of Vatican security.