by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, published a short reminiscence of the council by Pope Benedict XVI. In the essay, the pope recalls his presence at the opening of Vatican II, which he […]
Vatican
Vatican Restructures Its Course on Religious Life
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and reflect on the major changes it brought to consecrated life, the Vatican’s congregation for religious has overhauled the course it offers on theology and canon law. The Second Vatican Council’s call for religious to return to the […]
Vatican Hires Financial Expert to Protect Against Crime
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In an effort to comply more fully with international standards against financial criminal activity, the Vatican has hired an outside expert in combating money laundering and financing terrorism. Rene Brulhart, a 40-year-old Swiss international lawyer, started working as a consultant to the Vatican in September on “all matters related to anti-money […]
Vatican Announces Events for Year of Faith
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – With a hymn and a prayer, Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella presented the Vatican’s initial calendar of events for the Year of Faith, which begins with a Mass Oct. 11 in St. Peter’s Square. Archbishop Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said the pope has […]
For God and Country
It’s just the tip of the iceberg. This Aug. 1, the federal government will impose on us regulations that, if followed, not only would violate the consciences of many American citizens but attempts even to change the definition of a church. It is a direct attack on our civil liberties, our Faith and our values, […]
Sisters’ Leadership Responds to Vatican’s Order to Reform Itself
by Carol Zimmerman WASHINGTON (CNS) – The national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) June 1 said it feels the assessment that led to a Vatican order to reform the organization “was based on unsubstantiated accusations and the result of a flawed process that lacked transparency.” The LCWR board called the sanctions […]
Vatican Says Financial Markets Should Not Regulate Themselves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The global financial crisis and the worldwide recession it triggered have demonstrated that allowing financial markets to self-regulate does not serve national interests and the good of the international community, a Vatican official said. “The international community cannot let the financial system continue being a source of global economic instability; it […]
Vatican Museums Top 5 Million in Attendance
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In 2011, for the first time, the number of visitors to the Vatican Museums topped five million. Antonio Paolucci, director of the museums, said breaking the five-million threshold poses serious problems as well as challenges in the areas of access and education. “Five million visitors means 10 million hands that touch […]
‘Croc’ to Make Cuban Trip
A member of Rome’s Biopark zoo shows Pope Benedict XVI a rare young Cuban crocodile during the pope’s weekly audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Jan. 11. The crocodile is set to be introduced to its natural habitat in Cuba during the pope’s trip in March.
Vatican Recommends Year of Faith Activities
by Carol Glatz, VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In an effort to help Catholics have a better and correct understanding of their faith and become authentic witnesses to Christ, the Vatican issued a list of pastoral recommendations for celebrating the upcoming Year of Faith. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a “note” Jan. […]