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The German Church’s ‘left-turn’ into social progressivism will not resurrect German Catholicism
August 12, 2022
The Catholic Herald
A left-turn by the German Catholic Church is unlikely to resurrect Catholicism in the country, as Germany’s progressive Synodal Path seemingly draws the wrong conclusions about why Catholics are abandoning the faith. The Synodal Path comprises a series of conferences of the German Catholic Church to discuss many questions. A majority at a conference in
Pope’s pilgrimage to Canada: why mystery surrounds the graves
August 10, 2022
The Catholic Herald
Any question raised about the mass graves involving indigenous people in Canada immediately generates the accusation of someone being an apologist for the Catholic Church and what it did, or worse, a racist and imperialist. To be clear, the Catholic Church did operate schools and there is no denying abuses took place. It was therefore
Cardinal Parolin: has Francis’s ally dashed his chances of becoming Pope?
August 09, 2022
The Catholic Herald
The battle for the next Pope may be shaping up to be a contest between a Filipino and a Hungarian, but Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, is said to be a big favourite of Pope Francis when it comes to succession. Yet is the Italian Cardinal undermining his chances of succeeding the Pope? Cardinal
Reaching beyond politics: how Pope Francis can win over Russia Patriarch
August 08, 2022
The Catholic Herald
Pope Francis met deputy leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Antonij, at the Vatican late last week. The meeting was part of ongoing ecumenical contacts between the Papacy and the Patriarchate of Moscow. It followed a video call between Pope Francis and Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in March, shortly after the war in
Anscombe leads calls for ‘Charlie’s Law’ after death of Archie Battersbee
August 07, 2022
Simon Caldwell
An internationally-respected Catholic bioethics centre has called for urgent reforms of UK law after doctors ended the life of a brain-damaged 12-year-old boy against the wishes of his parents. Archie Battersbee, 12, died in the Royal London Hospital at 12.15pm on Saturday following the removal of artificial ventilation and other treatment at 10am the same
Erdő vs. Tagle: the battle to be the next Pope
August 05, 2022
The Catholic Herald
As speculation grows about the potential resignation of Pope Francis, whoever the next Pope is will say a great deal about the direction of a Church being pulled in different directions and threatened by schism with a progressive Synodal Path. One leading candidate to succeed Pope Francis is Hungary’s Cardinal Erdő, a conservative canon law
After China, India and Nigeria, Vatican cannot stay quiet on Nicaragua
August 05, 2022
The Catholic Herald
Earlier this week, the government of Nicaragua ordered the closure of seven Catholic radio stations linked to a bishop who has been critical of President Daniel Ortega, as reported by Reuters. The announcement was made by Bishop Rolando Alvarez. The Nicaraguan telecommunications agency said the stations did not meet technical requirements to be on air.
Pope appoints medical assistant: yet another resignation signal?
August 05, 2022
The Catholic Herald
On Thursday, in what could be a further sign of a looming papal resignation, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had appointed a nurse from the Vatican’s health services to be his “personal medical assistant”, an entirely new role. Massimiliano Strappetti – Vatican coordinator of nurses and health facilities – will take up the position.
Pope Francis should speak up for Taiwan
August 04, 2022
The Catholic Herald
On Tuesday, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan, the island democracy which China views as a renegade province. Although the US does not officially recognise Taiwan as an independent state, in reality most countries – including the US – view Taiwan as a country in its own right. For the Chinese Communist Party
Pope Francis resignation: how Benedict made it more likely
August 03, 2022
The Catholic Herald
As the Catholic Herald recently reported, rumours continue to abound about Pope Francis’ future after the Holy Father recently told reporters he can no longer travel like he once did, and one day may have to retire. Pope Francis repeated a phrase – “the door is open” – adding that there was nothing wrong with
Pope could meet head of Russian Church in major diplomatic moment
August 02, 2022
The Catholic Herald
Pope Francis is set to make his 38th Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan in September for the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office has confirmed. During the trip it is likely the Pope will come face to face with Patriarch Kirill, leader of
Door is open: Pope resignation rumours grow as he repeats phrase on future
August 01, 2022
The Catholic Herald
The rumour mill surrounding Pope Francis’ future will hardly have been calmed as the Pontiff returned from his “pilgrimage of penance” to Canada. Travelling back to Rome, the Pope told reporters he can no longer travel like he did because of knee problems, calling the visit “a bit of a test” which showed he needed
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