Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has fought back against what he called a “very serious distortion” of a Vatican document on returning to in-person Masses post-pandemic.
Those who opt for the “intrinsically evil” act of euthanasia cannot receive the sacraments or be accompanied by a priest at the moment of their death, the Vatican has said.
A Spanish priest has encouraged a conference of lesbians and bisexual women, telling them that “we are all human beings, equal in dignity”.
The Vatican is facing more pushback on its new parish instruction, this time from the Church in Malta on the subject of fees for the sacraments.
The notes of the Hallelujah of July 22nd, which I sang from the second pew of the Madeleine church in the heart of my hometown, Paris, are still echoing in my ears, and the media rabble won’t cover them over. It is a resounding and endless Hallelujah, with a life of its own, which belongs to another dimension.
An Italian bishop has scrapped the figures of godparents in baptisms and sponsors in confirmations, arguing that the people frequently chosen for these duties “are not fully aware of the role to which they are called”.
An Italian Church reform group has criticised the revival during the coronavirus of “problematic and ecumenically unfortunate” indulgences.
A papal advisor has suggested that the Catholic obligation to attend Sunday Mass “could fall” after the coronavirus pandemic.
At the morning Mass celebrated – and broadcast live – in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, this Friday in the Octave of Easter, Pope Francis prayed for pregnant women:.
COMECE launches SanctuaryStreaming.eu, an online platform offering live streaming services from Catholic sanctuaries and churches in Europe.
A theologian has blasted the “quasi-magical” Masses being offered online and on TV during the COVID-19 pandemic, lamenting that they give the impression “that grace can’t leave churches, while the virus travels around the world”.
The Apostolic Almoner has written to Vatican cardinals inviting them to an act of solidarity during Holy Week.
German and Austrian theologians are proposing ‘do-it-yourself’ sacraments to beat coronavirus lockdowns as well as clericalism.
In coronavirus times, Catholics around the world have accepted that, for the foreseeable future, “going to Mass'” means watching a solitary priest say the rite online.
In two key moves today in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Vatican said that the practice of general absolution – where a priest grants groups of faithful the forgiveness of their sins without individual confessions – may be permissible in some circumstances, and also that those Catholics who have been stricken by the virus or who are working or praying for its end can avail themselves of special plenary indulgences.
Is remote confession and absolution possible in coronavirus times, due to the difficulty of getting to the confessional and finding a priest amidst the outbreak?
A Swiss bishop being called a “horror clown” and “cynical” has been muzzled by his diocese for comments on coronavirus reflecting “irresponsible and dangerous… superstition”.
An Irish archbishop has said it is “utter irresponsibility” not to maintain social distancing in times of coronavirus, while an Irish priest has blasted Catholics who are continue to insist on receiving Communion on the tongue.
Italian Church group head questions coronavirus Mass suspensions: “Can the State decide on ceremonies in churches?”
Theologian: “Can we say the Eucharist is a meal of welcome and then not share it with all the baptised?”
A French bishop has deplored the fearmongering around the coronavirus, lamenting that with the panic “it seems we’ve all lost our minds!”.
The closure of so many churches in Northern Italy, the suspension of the masses, the funerals with only family members and measures of this kind have left me a certain bitterness.
The International Theological Commission (ITC) has issued a new document studying the relationship between faith and the sacraments.
The coronavirus threat has forced the postponement of the first ‘ecumenical Mass’ in the Geneva cathedral in 500 years.
Francis said at the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday that God the Father’s love for us extends even to Jesus’ death on the Cross.
Pope Francis is urging Christians not to be ashamed of expressing their joy of meeting God and feeling His closeness.
An Italian bishop has banned the practice of having sponsors at the sacrament of Confirmation, lamenting that the people chosen by candidates are often too “sinful” for the role.
Protestants have been invited to take communion at the first Catholic Mass in a Geneva cathedral since the Reformation, to be held next month.
A French bishop is still defending the sacramental seal despite a pedophile ex-priest admitting he confessed his abuse and begged for help.