Vatican clears Polish cardinal of abuse cover-up allegations The Vatican has wrapped up its own investigation and dismissed allegations that Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz had covered up cases of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy in his archdiocese. In a written statement released April 22, the Apostolic Nunciature in Poland said the Vatican found…
Antonio Banderas took to social media to share his participation in his native Spain’s Holy Week festivities. Spain is known for its huge processions at important times throughout the Catholic calendar, and it was to take part in these that Mr Banderas returned to Malaga. Writing on Twitter, he said, “After three years of waiting,…
When Fr Ruslan Mikhalkiv, rector of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Higher Theological Seminary in Vorzel, a forested village 50 kilometers northwest of Kyiv, returned to the abandoned seminary outside Kyiv in early April, he shockingly noticed that the statue of Our Lady of Fatima had been destroyed. “I have been studying for days how exactly…
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a practicing Catholic, signed into law a bill protecting the unborn from abortion after 15 weeks gestation last Thursday. “What we’re doing today is saying that we will not let that happen in the state of Florida,” the Republican politician said. DeSantis signed into law House Bill 5 in Kissimmee, Florida. The legislation…
More than 70 bishops from around the world have released a “fraternal open letter” to Germany’s bishops warning that sweeping changes to Church teaching advocated by the ongoing process known as the “Synodal Path” may lead to schism. The letter expresses “our growing concern about the nature of the entire German ‘Synodal Path,’” which the…
Archbishop criticises plenary council preparations At a time when Catholicism in Australia faces crises such as a loss of faith and declining religious practice, a plenary council preparatory document shows “serious failures” that suggest a lack of confidence and “evangelical vigour”, Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart has said. Archbishop Porteous warned that the document may…
Optimism abounds in the Holy Land with the relaxing of Covid-19 rules leading to a fresh wave of pilgrims visiting the holy sites associated with the earthly life of Christ. Apart from local Christians, the sites remained largely shuttered for two years due to the pandemic but a more relaxed attitude from Israeli authorities is…
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said it appeared Ukraine could keep Pope Francis safe if he made a wartime trip to Kyiv, but the Pope’s safety was not the Vatican’s only concern. During his trip to Malta April 2-3, Pope Francis had told reporters that a proposal for him to visit Kyiv…
The Legionaries of Christ received four new allegations of sexual abuse against members of the congregation between March 2021 and March 2022, and new allegations also have been made against priests already undergoing canonical procedures after being named in previous reports. The Legionaries’ 2021 “Annual Report: Truth, Justice and Healing” was released April 6 with…
Approximately 40 Burmese soldiers forcibly took control of a Catholic cathedral in Mandalay prior to a Lenten prayer service on Friday and detained an archbishop and dozens of other worshippers, including a correspondent for CNA. The soldiers entered Sacred Heart Cathedral at 2:30 pm local time April 8 and refused to allow worshipers to leave.…