Catholicism
Halted appointment of theology dean rocks the Vatican and beyond
By Claire Giangravé — July 6, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican blocked the appointment of the Rev. Martin Lintner as dean of a theological university due to concerns about his writings on sexual morality.
Catholic bishops in South Sudan call for reexamination of ‘flawed’ peace pact
By Fredrick Nzwili — July 5, 2023
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The bishops claim the pact that ended the country’s 2013-2018 civil war has allowed political leaders to extend their power at the expense of ordinary people.
Bishop named to Vatican office handling sex abuse complaints discounted some victims, US group says
By Frances D'emilio — July 5, 2023
ROME (AP) — A U.S.-based group that tracks how the Catholic hierarchy deals with allegations of sexual abuse by clergy says Pope Francis made a “troubling” choice in appointing an Argentine prelate to a powerful Vatican office that handles such cases.
Pope Francis ‘outraged and disgusted’ by burning of Quran
By Claire Giangravé — July 3, 2023
(RNS) — The pope commented after a man in Sweden publicly kicked a Quran and put bacon on it before burning it.
Pope meets with wife and family of Julian Assange, who says pontiff ‘concerned’ by his suffering
By Rebecca Preciutti — July 3, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The visit came as Stella Assange has been seeking to drum up political support for her husband’s cause, including a visit to his native Australia last month.
Pope appoints bishop from his native Argentina to lead Vatican office that enforces church doctrine
By Frances D'emilio and Nicole Winfield — July 3, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Francis named Monsignor Victor Manuel Fernández, the archbishop of La Plata, Argentina, as the prefect, or chief, of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Vatican reports income boost in charitable fund, even as donations dip following financial scandals
By Nicole Winfield — July 3, 2023
(AP) — The Vatican on Friday reported that the pope's charitable fund, Peter's Pence, doubled its income in 2022 to more than $166 million, even as donations dipped slightly following years of scandal over financial mismanagement at the Holy See.
Catholics and Orthodox join forces for peace amid Russian and Ukrainian skeptics
By Claire Giangravé — June 30, 2023
(RNS) — Papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi met with political and religious representatives in Moscow, June 28-30.
Ex-Roman Catholic cardinal, now 92, is not competent to stand trial in sex abuse case, expert says
By Alanna Durkin Richer — June 30, 2023
BOSTON (AP) — Prosecutors this week disclosed the findings of their expert to the judge, who will ultimately rule on the once-powerful American prelate's ability to face charges that he abused the boy at a wedding reception at Wellesley College in 1974.
More than half a million left Germany’s Catholic Church last year as abuse scandal swirls
By Geir Moulson — June 29, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The departures left the number of Catholic Church members in Germany at nearly 20.94 million, just under a quarter of the population.
Gamer and programmer Carlo Acutis could be the right saint for Gen Z, new book argues
By Claire Giangravé — June 28, 2023
(RNS) — A kid who loved computers and died at 15 of leukemia can be an inspiration on how to live in the digital age, new book says.
Parliamentary inquest into ‘Vatican Girl’ mystery moves forward as pope acknowledges family’s pain
By Associated Press — June 28, 2023
ROME (AP) — Theories over the years have linked her disappearance at age 15 to everything from the plot to kill St. John Paul II, a financial scandal involving the Vatican bank and Rome’s criminal underworld.
German police search church properties in probe of Cologne archbishop over perjury allegations
By Kirsten Grieshaber — June 28, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The cardinal is under investigation on suspicion of having falsely testified to court about when he became aware of reports of clergy sexual abuse in the archdiocese.
Embattled Tennessee bishop resigns after priest complaints, abuse-related lawsuits
By Travis Loller and Nicole Winfield — June 27, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky, the Most Reverend Shelton Fabre, was named temporary administrator to run the diocese until a new bishop is installed.
As the election cycle cranks up, Christians need to call out white Christian nationalism
By Kelly Brown Douglas and Bryan N. Massingale — June 27, 2023
(RNS) — White and Black Christians need to truly partner with God in building a more just future for all.
