By Fr. Shay Cullen. There are some good Filipino bishops and priests who have stood for human rights, especially those of vulnerable and abused children. One bishop has encouraged people to file criminal charges against clerical child sex abusers. He is Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David of the Diocese of Kalookan. This brave follower of Jesus…
Growing public pressure alone has ensured that the conclave today is usually a matter of a few days. One papal election in history once lasted over 1,000 days. The inhabitants of Viterbo found this too colourful. People love the conclave – and the media love it even more. The highest level of secrecy, at the…
Each day between now and the May 7 conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, John Allen is offering a profile of a different papabile, the Italian term for a man who could be pope. There’s no scientific way to identity these contenders; it’s mostly a matter of weighing reputations, positions held and influence wielded over…
By: Leticia Witte (KNA) Relations between the world Jewish community and the Vatican are strained – especially since 7 October 2023. What international Jewish organisations now expect from a new pope. It will not be easy for the next Pope to follow in the footsteps of Francis – this is the opinion of Chief Rabbi…
135 cardinals are eligible to vote, but not all of them will attend the conclave. Nevertheless, there is a record. Before the papal election, various topics are now on the table – and those affected by abuse are voicing criticism. Preparations for the biggest papal election of all time are in full swing in the…
Leading child protection campaigner and abuse survivor Marie Collins has said that “I want the next Pope to be a man with the courage to bring in the 2019 promise of ‘zero tolerance’ (removal from the clerical state of any cleric guilty of abuse) and make reporting to civil authorities by bishops mandatory worldwide –…
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has long been an outspoken critic of Tusla, consistently advocating for transparency and reform. Recently, the party secured documents under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, specifically an email exchange between the Minister for Children and Tusla’s CEO as well as briefing notes from a call between the two on…
The papal conclave of 2025 will begin following the passing of Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy profoundly shaped the Catholic Church. The conclave, expected to take place on May 7, faces the difficult task of selecting a successor—one who must navigate a diverse Church and lead it through a complex global landscape marked by various…
Irish teachers have rejected a series of proposals including some described as “deeply insulting” which sought to reduce the role of religion in Catholic primary education. Alan Hynes, Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP), said the outcome of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) congress highlighted a disconnect between the union’s public messaging…
The conclave beginning May 7 is expected to be the largest in history, with 135 cardinals under 80 eligible to vote. By comparison, 115 cardinals participated in the 2005 and 2013 conclaves. The cardinals represent 72 countries, reflecting a wide geographical mix. For example, three Italians are serving outside Italy: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch…
John L. Allen Jr.
Chai Brady