Vatican
Shroud of Turin conference draws believers to St. Louis
By Lilly Fowler — October 9, 2014
ST. LOUIS (RNS) To some, the puzzle surrounding the Shroud of Turin was solved when laboratories in the U.S., England and Switzerland determined through carbon dating that it originated around 1260 to 1390. To others, it remains a mystery.
Bookies put their odds on Pope Francis to win the Nobel Peace Prize
By Josephine McKenna — October 8, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Argentine pope is currently the 5-2 favorite to win the award, which will be announced by the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway, on Friday.
Pope Francis wanted open debate. With clashing cardinals, he’s got it
By David Gibson — October 2, 2014
(RNS) Throughout the history of the church, apostles and bishops and theologians have often clashed, publicly and sometimes fiercely, to reach a conclusion on the very essentials of the faith.
US Cardinal Raymond Burke mounts defense on Catholic teaching on divorce
By David Gibson — September 30, 2014
(RNS) Public disagreements over whether the Roman Catholic Church can change its teachings on Communion for remarried Catholics are growing sharper on the eve of a major Vatican summit.
Pope Francis fires Paraguay bishop accused of covering up abuse
By Josephine McKenna — September 25, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican said that the pope had taken the “onerous decision” to replace the bishop for “serious pastoral reasons."
Priests’ mistresses and wives remind the Vatican: Don’t forget about us
By Josephine McKenna — September 25, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis has made a habit of personally answering letters sent to him from around the world -- but not from a group of two dozen Italian women who say they are married to or involved with Catholic priests.
Pope Francis orders accused envoy Jozef Wesolowski put under house arrest
By Josephine McKenna — September 23, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A bishop from the Dominican Republic was recently reported saying he was shocked to see former Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski walking freely on the streets of central Rome.
Chicago meets its new archbishop as the ‘Pope Francis effect’ sets in
By David Gibson — September 20, 2014
(RNS) Pressed to contrast his approach with that of Cardinal Francis George, incoming Archbishop Blase Cupich repeatedly said he would try to be himself. “Everyone brings their own gifts and talents and experiences,” Cupich said.
Pope Francis names Spokane bishop to Chicago, dashing conservative hopes
By David Gibson — September 19, 2014
(RNS) The appointment of Bishop Blase Cupich, a prelate closely identified with the Catholic Church’s progressive wing, to succeed Cardinal Francis George could upend decades of conservative dominance of the American hierarchy.
Vatican: Pope Francis not under threat from Islamic State militants
By Josephine McKenna — September 15, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Lombardi said Francis would use the same open-topped vehicle he uses to greet crowds in St. Peter's Square when he travels to the Albanian capital, Tirana.
Vatican cricket team may need divine intervention in match with Church of England
By Trevor Grundy — September 12, 2014
(RNS) “Realistically, we are rank underdogs with a very outside chance, but that’s okay,” said the Rev Eamonn O’Higgins, spiritual director and manager of the Vatican club.
Sex abuse survivors slam Pope Francis’ picks for crisis panels
By Josephine McKenna — September 10, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The appointment of both Robert Geisinger and Robert Oliver was slammed by the survivors' network SNAP, which claimed both had failed to do enough to stop abuse while they were in the U.S.
Bones of contention: Catholic dioceses fight over Archbishop Sheen’s body
By David Gibson — September 4, 2014
(RNS) In an unusual public clash, Bishop Jenky of Peoria says Cardinal Dolan of New York reneged on a deal to send Sheen's body back to Illinois so he could be beatified.
Gay groups in St. Patrick’s parade all right with N.Y. Cardinal Dolan
By David Gibson — September 3, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) After years of resistance, a group of gays and lesbians will be allowed to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade for the first time under their own banner, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan said he's OK with that.
Vatican’s doctrinal chief renews criticism of US nuns, says he’s no misogynist
By David Gibson — September 2, 2014
(RNS) " ... We don’t want to gobble up a woman a day!” Cardinal Gerhard Mueller told L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s semiofficial newspaper, in the edition published on Monday (Sept. 1).
