Catholic Church

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New Name in Wearable Tech: the Vatican

$110 eRosary connects to app to show prayer progress

(Newser) - Describing your smart device as "aimed at the peripheral frontiers of the digital world where the young people dwell" maybe isn't the hippest way to appeal to the younger generation. But that's exactly what the Vatican intends with its Click to Pray eRosary announced Wednesday. The bracelet...

Francis Makes Move to Reshape the Church

The pope adds 13 new cardinals who reflect his views

(Newser) - Pope Francis added 13 new cardinals to the top of the Catholic hierarchy on Saturday, telling them they must show God's compassion to those who suffer to be faithful to their ministry, the AP reports. Francis presided over the ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, elevating churchmen who share...

Pope: It's an 'Honor If the Americans Attack Me'

He responds to 'bombshell' book about US critics

(Newser) - Pope Francis acknowledged his growing opposition within the conservative right wing of the US Catholic Church and said in off-hand remarks aboard the papal plane Wednesday it is "an honor if the Americans attack me." Francis commented on critics of his papacy when he received a copy of...

Child Sex Convictions Upheld for Former Vatican No. 3

Pell to be stripped of Order of Australia honor

(Newser) - An Australian appeals court by a 2-1 ruling Wednesday upheld convictions against Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic to be found guilty of sexually abusing children . The Victoria state Court of Appeal rejected Pell's appeal of a unanimous jury verdict in December that he was guilty of molesting...

School Bows to Pressure, Fires Teacher in Same-Sex Marriage

Another Indianapolis high school refused last week

(Newser) - A Catholic high school has made the "agonizing decision" to fire a teacher in a same-sex marriage, days after the Archdiocese of Indianapolis punished another school for refusing to do so. Saying that homosexual relationships are in opposition to the church's teachings, Archbishop Charles Thompson has been pressuring...

Archbishop Punishes School That Won't Fire Gay Teacher

Archbishop of Indianapolis Charles Thompson says it can no longer call itself Catholic

(Newser) - A Jesuit high school that refuses to fire a longtime teacher who is in a same-sex marriage no longer qualifies as Catholic, according to the Archbishop of Indianapolis. Archbishop Charles Thompson plans to issue a decree Friday saying Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School "can no longer use the name Catholic...

In the Amazon, Married Catholic Priests? Perhaps

Vatican proposal would permit the ordination of married men there

(Newser) - It's just a proposal, but the Vatican on Monday opened debate on what would be a very narrow path to the priesthood for married men, specifically those living in remote parts of the Amazon. The AP reports the call for study on the proposal was included in a working...

He Was Once a Slave. Now He May Become a Saint

Pope deems Augustus Tolton, America's first black Roman Catholic priest, 'venerable'

(Newser) - Pope Francis on Wednesday deemed the first known black Roman Catholic priest in the US to be "venerable," positioning the ex-slave for possible sainthood. The pontiff's designation of the Rev. Augustus Tolton as venerable, meaning the church intensely scrutinized his life and recognizes it as one of...

Bishop Tells Catholics to Avoid 'Pride Month' Events

Thomas Tobin faces backlash after tweet

(Newser) - Rhode Island's Roman Catholic bishop on Sunday defended a tweet urging Catholics to not support or attend LGBTQ Pride Month events, saying it was his obligation to teach the faith "clearly and compassionately, even on very difficult and sensitive issues." Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin sparked...

Vatican Has New Law on Sex Abuse Complaints

For first time, a system is in place to investigate bishops, other higher-ups

(Newser) - Pope Francis issued new rules Thursday on how the church should handle sexual abuse allegations. Some key points of the decree, called "You Are the Light of the World," which takes effect June 1:
  • A first: For the first time, priests and nuns are required to report abuse
...

Pope Francis Has Some Advice for Hairdressers

They should 'avoid falling into the temptation of gossip'

(Newser) - Pope Francis might not be hearing much chit-chat the next time he gets his hair cut. The pontiff advised some 230 members of Italy's association of hairdressers, hairstylists, and beauticians who visited him during a pilgrimage to Rome to "avoid falling into the temptation of gossip that is...

After 35 Years, Vatican Opens Probe Into Missing Girl

Emanuela Orlandi was the daughter of a Vatican employee who vanished at age 15

(Newser) - The Vatican has for the first time opened its own investigation into the case of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican citizen who disappeared in the summer of 1983. The Orlandi family's lawyer, Laura Sgrò, confirmed the probe on Wednesday. She told the AP that "the Secretariat of State...

Benedict Emerges to Pin Sex Abuse on Sexual Revolution

He publishes a 6K-word letter 'to assist in this difficult hour'

(Newser) - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has emerged from the shadows with a new letter that assigns blame for the clergy abuse crisis. In a 6,000-word letter whose authenticity was confirmed by Benedict's personal secretary, Benedict begins by writing that his remarks are intended "to assist in this difficult...

In Significant Move, Pope Defines the Term 'Vulnerable Adults'

As part of new law requiring Vatican personnel, Holy See diplomats report abuse allegations

(Newser) - Pope Francis on Friday issued sweeping new sex abuse legislation for Vatican personnel and Holy See diplomats that requires the immediate reporting of abuse allegations to Vatican prosecutors, a policy shift aimed at being a model for the Catholic Church worldwide. The mandatory reporting provision, while limited in scope, marks...

West Virginia to Diocese: You 'Knowingly Employed Pedophiles'

State files suit against diocese, bishop

(Newser) - Parents entrusted their children to West Virginia's Wheeling-Charleston Diocese schools and camps—not knowing who their children were potentially being exposed to. The West Virginia attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the diocese accusing it of not conducting adequate background checks for its employees, including priests, and not...

Catholic Diocese Is Not Amused by SNL's R. Kelly Joke

Church demands NBC apologize for the skit

(Newser) - SNL has landed itself in a little holy hot water: Catholic officials in New York City are demanding the show and NBC apologize after a skit compared the Church’s sex abuse scandals to allegations against R. Kelly. The Diocese of Brooklyn released a statement on Monday heavily criticizing the...

Accused Pedophile Priest Now a Homicide Victim

Dozens in New Jersey alleged John Capparelli had sexually abused them when they were boys

(Newser) - John Capparelli traveled across the US three years ago, hoping to leave the sexual abuse allegations about him behind on the East Coast, and many in the defrocked priest's Henderson, Nev., neighborhood may have had no clue about his past. That history came to light this week after Capparelli,...

Former Vatican No. 3 Sentenced for Sexual Abuse

6 years isn't long enough, victim's father says

(Newser) - The most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse is on his way to an Australian prison, and a judge acknowledged Tuesday that there is a strong chance Cardinal George Pell will die there. Victoria state County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd sentenced the 77-year-old to six years in...

Cardinal's Lawyer Sorry for Referring to Rape as 'Vanilla'

Robert Richter issues apology after 'sleepless night'

(Newser) - The defense lawyer for the man who was once the third highest-ranking official in the Catholic Church—and who's now awaiting sentencing for attacks on two 13-year-old choirboys in Australia—is apologizing for referring to the crimes as "plain" and "vanilla." The assaults by George Pell,...

Judge Sends Disgraced Cardinal to Prison

He was unswayed by reference from ex-PM

(Newser) - The former third highest-ranking official in the Catholic Church is now the newest inmate in the Melbourne Assessment Prison. Cardinal George Pell, who has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two children , will spend his first night behind bars Wednesday after being remanded into custody pending sentencing, reports Reuters . The...

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