SPIRITED THINKING SINCE 1888
Europe
German cardinal takes further action in wake of independent abuse report
March 26, 2021
CNA Staff
Asked by reporters if he intended to resign, Woelki said: “To simply accept moral responsibility and go -- to protect the standing of the episcopate and the Church -- would be too easy and is, in my view, wrong.”
Cardinal Schönborn: Same-sex blessings “will not be denied”
March 26, 2021
Staff Reporter
A leading theologian and member of the CDF – not to mention the principal architect of John Paul II’s Catechism of the Catholic Church – Cardinal Schönborn was speaking to Vienna’s archdiocesan newspaper, Der Sonntag.
Pope Francis blesses Carlo Acutis statue for orphanage in Egypt
March 19, 2021
Courtney Mares/CNA
The pope received the family of Carlo Acutis in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace on March 18 after his general audience. Acutis’ parents, Andrea and Antonia, were present for the blessing of the statue of their recently beatified son, as were Carlo’s younger twin siblings, Francesca and Michele.
Catholics in Poland launch week of prayer for protection of life on St. Joseph’s feast day
March 19, 2021
CNA Staff
The week-long pro-life initiative, starting on March 19, is supported by Catholic bishops in dioceses across the country.
German Catholic archbishop offers to resign from office after abuse report findings
March 19, 2021
CNA Staff
Archbishop Stefan Hesse of Hamburg made his brief declaration live on YouTube March 18, saying: “I am of the firm conviction that taking responsibility is part of our duty to actively deal with this dark chapter in the best possible way and to move towards a better future for everyone, first and foremost for the victims themselves.”
Cologne Reeling After Damning Abuse Report
March 18, 2021
Christopher R. Altieri
The report found more than 200 wrongdoers and more than 300 victims, most of them boys under the age of 14. Roughly half the allegations pertained to sexual abuse of different kinds and gravity, while the rest fell under the rubric of “boundary violation” or other misconduct of a sexual nature.
Swiss voters narrowly back ban on burqa, niqab as religious leaders voice concern
March 09, 2021
CNA Staff
Over 51% of voters backed the measure in a March 7 vote. The ban on facial coverings in public places does not mention Islam directly but was presented as a burqa ban. It would also affect protesters who wear ski masks and bandanas. The ban exempts venues that are religious institutions, facial coverings used for health reasons and masks used for traditional Carnival celebrations.
French investigator: As many as 10 thousand victims of clerical sexual abuse
March 03, 2021
Staff Reporter
Jean-Marc Sauvé, the highly regarded 71-year-old career civil servant and former vice-president of France’s Council of State, told reporters on Tuesday that a June 2020 figure of 3,000 victims “is certainly an underestimate.”  
Catholic Organizations Address “The Elderly and the Future of Europe”
March 02, 2021
Staff Reporter
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg and current President of COMECE, addressed the concluding session of the study day, stressing that Europe's future -- and that of humanity as a whole -- depends on the family, and that the strength of society can be measured by the practice and cultivation of intergenerational solidarity. 
Head of German Catholic bishops: ‘I do not deny Communion to a Protestant who asks for it’
February 26, 2021
CNA Staff
Bishop Georg Bätzing told journalists at a press conference on Feb. 25 that it was necessary to respect the “personal decision of conscience” of those seeking to receive Communion.
Turn in Maltese Murder Investigation as Key Figure Makes Plea Deal
February 24, 2021
Staff Reporter
One of three men accused of assassinating investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in 2017 has received a 15-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to all charges in connection with his role in the murder. Vincent Muscat had previously entered a Not Guilty plea, but reportedly accepted a plea bargain arrangement with prosecutors. He
French Catholic women launch manifesto on feminine vocation in the Church
February 22, 2021
Catholic News Agency
CNA Staff, Feb 20, 2021 / 03:11 pm MT (CNA).- A group of Catholic women in France has launched a manifesto to underscore the “beauty of the women's specific vocation.”
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