Category: World Report

Vatican Roundup

Pope picks Bishop Semeraro to lead sainthood congregation Pope Francis has named Italian Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, secretary of his Council of Cardinals, to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The bishop, 72, succeeds Cardinal Angelo Becciu, whom the Pope forced to resign in late September because of suspicious financial…

In Brief

Vatican criminal trial begins against priests accused in abuse case Fr Gabriele Martinelli, 28, has heard a Vatican criminal court accuse him of repeatedly sexually abusing a younger student at a minor seminary inside the Vatican. Msgr Enrico Radice, 71, former rector of the seminary, heard the court accuse him of obstructing the investigation by…

Pope Francis receives Cardinal George Pell

Former Vatican finance czar Cardinal George Pell met with Pope Francis in a private audience at the Vatican Monday. The Holy See press office said that the audience took place October 12, but gave no further details. A video of the meeting showed the Pope shaking the cardinal’s hand, while saying: “It is a pleasure to…

Catholic priest freed two years after kidnapping

An Italian Catholic priest was freed on October 8, two years after he was kidnapped by a jihadist group. The office of the president of Mali announced the liberation of Fr Pierluigi Maccalli, a member of the Society of African Missions. He was one of four hostages released this week by fighters believed to be…

Hindus plan anti-conversion campaign across India

Hindu groups in India are planning to launch a nationwide campaign to curb religious conversion, which they claim is a form of violence and a crime. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) say religious conversion is rampant in tribal-dominated areas and they plan to bring those converted back to the…

Vatican Roundup

Pope to Moneyval: merchants must be prevented from ‘speculating’ in the temple It is a task which is “particularly dear to my heart”, carried out “to promote a ‘clean finance’, in which the ‘merchants’ are prevented from speculating in that sacred ‘temple’ which is humanity”. Pope Francis made that remark on Thursday in an address to…

In Brief

French cardinal says book royalties go to abuse victims A French cardinal who resigned as archbishop of Lyon after being acquitted of failing to report clerical sex abuse said the royalties from his new book would go to abuse victims. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin told France’s RTL radio that the Archdiocese of Lyon would distribute the…