Rosie Scammell
Rosie Scammell is a British journalist with extensive experience reporting for leading international news organizations. She has been based in Italy since 2012 and covers the Vatican for RNS.
All Stories by Rosie Scammell
Spanish official: Mosque-cathedral belongs to all, not just Catholic Church
By Rosie Scammell — March 17, 2016
(RNS) “Religious consecration is not the way to acquire property,” said a Cordoba official, the latest salvo in a long-running debate over ownership of the unique place of worship.
Pope Francis to spread his message on Instagram
By Rosie Scammell — March 16, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The social media-savvy Vatican will expand the pontiff's impressive online presence with the first "Franciscus" posting on Saturday.
Mother Teresa to be canonized Sept. 4
By Rosie Scammell — March 15, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Albanian nun’s canonization will come almost exactly 19 years after her death on Sept. 5, 1997.
Vatican monsignor confesses to church court he leaked documents
By Rosie Scammell — March 14, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Monsignor Angelo Lucio Vallejo Balda told Vatican prosecutors he passed the documents to journalists while he was distraught following the end of a close friendship with a woman who is also on trial.
Scientologists vindicated by Belgian court ruling
By Rosie Scammell — March 11, 2016
(RNS) A judge rejected allegations that it operated as a criminal organization and extorted money from members.
Imam arrested in Italy, suspected of planning Rome terror attack
By Rosie Scammell — March 10, 2016
ROME (RNS) The 22-year-old Somali man's intended target was unknown, but authorities had been watching him for two months as he tried to rally others to join him.
Pope Francis tries to clean up costly saint-making process
By Rosie Scammell — March 10, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) After leaks pegged the cost of canonization at $500,000 on average, the pontiff moved to rein in abuses and improve accountability.
Congo-born priest resigns from German parish after racist threats
By Rosie Scammell — March 8, 2016
(RNS) Olivier Ndjimbi-Tshiende was harassed after he criticized a local politician who talked about an “invasion” of Eritrean refugees.
Four Catholic nuns among the dead in massacre by gunmen in Yemen
By Rosie Scammell — March 4, 2016
ROME (RNS) The nuns, from the order founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, are among 16 people killed by gunmen who attacked a retirement home.
Cardinal George Pell, top Vatican official, meets abuse victims after testimony
By Rosie Scammell — March 3, 2016
ROME (RNS) The encounter between Pell and the victims was a remarkably amicable coda to days of tense and often tough testimony by the cardinal and criticism from victims.
Irish Catholic priest caught snorting cocaine on camera
By Rosie Scammell — March 1, 2016
(RNS) The priest reportedly admitted to The Irish Sun that he took cocaine, stating he does not have a problem with drugs.
Vatican gives two thumbs-up to Oscar winner ‘Spotlight’
By Rosie Scammell — February 29, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Hours after the movie picked up the best picture prize, the Vatican newspaper praised the film for its portrayal of The Boston Globe’s investigation into clerical sex abuse.
Cardinal George Pell admits ‘indefensible’ errors in abuse crisis
By Rosie Scammell — February 29, 2016
ROME (RNS) The Australian churchman, now a top adviser to Pope Francis, testified that he had previously believed the denials of priests rather than the complaints of victims.
Catholic leaders win some, lose some in Italy’s new gay unions measure
By Rosie Scammell — February 26, 2016
ROME (RNS) The mixed result disappointed gay rights activists, and some conservative Catholics bemoaned an “anthropological revolution."
Businessman arrested in Ponzi scheme that police say priest abetted
By Rosie Scammell — February 25, 2016
ROME (RNS) Christian Ventisette was nabbed in Spain, accused of swindling pensioners from the U.S. and elsewhere out of millions of euros with the help of a Catholic priest who once worked at the Vatican.
