The Explainer: Catholic cardinals play a key role in secular politics as well as the Catholic Church – and the importance of Pope Francis’ choice to head the church in DC
In an article first published on The Conversation, JOANNE M PIERCE, a specialist on medieval Catholicism, looks at the important role cardinals have played over the centuries in church administration and secular politics…
Catholic bishops call for authorities to step up against violence in southern Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico AP Four Roman Catholic bishops in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero called Monday for civilian and military authorities to take steps to protect residents of a region rocked by violence that has left more than a dozen dead in recent days. The violence around Tecpan de Galeana, about 104 kilometres up […]
Beijing gets new Catholic bishop, days after Vatican-China deal renewal
Vatican City Reuters A new assistant Catholic bishop for Beijing was ordained on Friday, three days after the Vatican and Chinese officials extended an accord on appointments in China, the Vatican said. Bishop Matthew Zhen Xuebin, 54, was named to the role by Pope Francis, who approved his nomination within the framework of a diplomatic […]
Essay: Synodality demands transparency and accountability from bishops
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE says, in an article first published on Religion News Service, that while synodality requires a commitment of time and energy from bishops and laypeople, it will be worth it…
Vatican and China extend deal over Catholic bishop appointments
Beijing, China Reuters China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in the communist country for a period of four years, the two parties said on Tuesday. The Vatican struck a landmark deal with the Beijing government in 2018. The agreement, which was previously renewed every two […]
Churches call for action on growing hunger crisis in Malawi
Nairobi, Kenya Church leaders in Malawi have raised concerns about the escalating hunger crisis in the south-eastern African nation, urging collective efforts to address the situation which has resulted in millions of people facing acute food insecurity. The landlocked country, home to over 21.7 million people, is grappling with a deepening food crisis as a […]
Conservative Catholic prelate warns that excommunicating Viganò will lead to further division
Vatican City RNS An outspoken critic of Pope Francis, the Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Astana, Kazakhstan, said that while Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s public opposition of the Pope “is irreverent and disrespectful”, the Vatican should think twice before excommunicating him. “I think the pope would be wise and prudent if he were to not […]
Peace must be a priority, say Catholic leaders on anniversary of priests’ violent deaths in Mexico
Mexico City AP Two years have passed since a leader of one of Mexico’s organised crime gangs stormed into a Catholic church in the remote Tarahumara mountains and fatally shot two Jesuit priests. Among many faith leaders nationwide, the pain unleashed on 20th June, 2022 – when the Revs Javier Campos Morales, 79, and Joaquín […]
Essay: Catholics could decide the 2024 US election
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says Catholics are a good weathervane for how the country will vote – if you win Catholics, you likely win the country…
Catholic bishops in Mexico say they negotiated for possible peace accord with drug cartel leaders
Mexico City, Mexico AP Four Roman Catholic bishops met with Mexican drug cartel bosses in a bid to negotiate a possible peace accord, one of the bishops said, and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Thursday he approves of such talks. The revelation by Bishop of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, José de Jesús González Hernández, in remarks at […]