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…

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…

The purpose of crying out to the Lord in prayer is not to get used to suffering, but to remember that God, and not humankind, is the only source of salvation and consolation, Pope Francis said. The Book of Psalms, with its many prayers of supplication, teaches Christians how to ask “God to intervene where…

Italian media has reported allegations that Cardinal Angelo Becciu transferred several hundred thousand euros from Vatican accounts to an account in Australia during the trial of Cardinal George Pell. The cardinal has not responded to the allegation, which international news outlets have yet to independently corroborate. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Friday that…

The tomb of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, was opened for veneration before his beatification in Assisi. A statement released by the Diocese of Assisi said the tomb will remain open for veneration until October 17. Venerable Acutis’ beatification Mass will be…

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, has thanked experts from Moneyval – the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism – for helping the Holy See in its efforts to ensure transparency and international cooperation in its financial dealings. The cardinal welcomed the…

The head of the Salesians announced that the order has raised nearly €8 million to help thousands of families worldwide who have been financially affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Specifically, €7.9 million have been collected, a very significant amount that has reached 62 Salesian provinces around the world, in response to 143 projects in support…

Archbishop Anthony Fisher and archdiocesan staff welcomed a commitment by the government of New South Wales to enact anti-slavery legislation passed by the Australian Parliament more than two years ago. The state of New South Wales endorsed the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and supported, in principle, a recommendation to implement the act before the end…

US Secretary of State and Vatican official s
ex change views on China The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Holy See’s top diplomats had a “respectful” exchange of views on China, the Vatican said October 1. Responding to questions from journalists, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said that Mr…

US pandemic stimulus bill excludes Catholic school students and their families The chairman of the US bishops’ education committee said October 1 “it is unconscionable” the HEROES Act stimulus bill proposed in the House is excluding Catholic school students and their families. The bill includes $225 billion for education, including $182 billion for K-12 schools,…