Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Pope makes final offer to breakaway SSPX group
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The leader of the traditionalist Catholic movement that's been at odds with the Vatican for decades received the final draft of Pope Benedict XVI's reconciliation offer on Wednesday. By Alessandro Speciale.
In ‘cordial’ dialogue, Vatican asserts control over U.S. nuns
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Leaders of an umbrella group that represents the majority of U.S. nuns met with top Vatican doctrinal officials on Tuesday (June 12) in an atmosphere of “openness and cordiality,” according to a Vatican statement. By Alessandro Speciale.
Catholic theologians stand up to the Vatican
ST. LOUIS (RNS) As Catholic theology has branched out, bishops have struggled to curb theological thinking they consider beyond acceptable boundaries. At the Catholic Theological Society of America meeting, the theologians were girding for a fight. By Tim Townsend.
Catholic theologians back Sister Margaret Farley against Vatican censure
ST. LOUIS (RNS) The board of the nation's largest association of theologians issued a statement Thursday (June 7) in support of Sister Margaret Farley, a Yale theologian whose work in sexual ethics was publicly criticized by the Vatican earlier this week. By Tim Townsend.
Franciscan friars back American nuns in Vatican spat
(RNS) Franciscan friars are throwing their support behind a group of American nuns, saying Vatican criticism of the women was "excessive" and is "polarizing" the Catholic Church. By Daniel Burke.
Vatican censors nun’s book on sexual ethics, and some see a bid to muzzle women’s voices
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A long-running conflict between the Vatican and American nuns exploded again with the condemnation of a popular book on sexual ethics by Sister Margaret A. Farley, citing problematic passages on homosexuality, divorce and masturbation. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican says unity with traditionalist SSPX needs ‘further discussions’
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Reconciliation between the Vatican and a conservative breakaway group will require "further discussions" the Vatican doctrinal office said on Wednesday, while stressing that each member of the group will have to agree on key points of Catholic doctrine, including relationship with the Jews. By Alessandro Speciale.
Analysis: Is Pope Ratzinger suffering from the 7-year itch?
WASHINGTON (RNS) As Pope Benedict XVI marks the seventh anniversary of his papacy with a crackdown on American nuns, many Catholics are wondering if the pontiff is finally becoming the papal enforcer that some feared – and others hoped – he was elected in 2005. By David Gibson.
