The book on celibacy: the buck stops with Ganswein
After the uproar caused by the prepublication of extracts of the book in defense of ecclesiastical celibacy, signed by Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, the sensational about turn by Ratzinger's secretary, Monsignor Georg Gänswein is provoking discussion. He affirmed the pope's ignorance of the co-authored book project, though the facts deny this. And Cardinal Sarah confirms that agreements were clear and shared, and publishes letters from Benedict XVI addressed to him. What’s more the publishers also received the "approval to print" from Gänswein. Perhaps, after the received violent attacks, lies and threats, the secretary wanted to protect the pope emeritus, but he will actually obtain the opposite result: separating the pope emeritus from cardinal Sarah has only made it easier for their enemies to work to eliminate them. Meanwhile, the book will now be published by Cardinal Sarah, "with the contribution of Benedict XVI.” But the content, which is what matters, remains the same.
Benedict XVI challenges the "new Church"
The co-authored book by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah explodes like a bomb on the attempt to change the doctrine of ecclesiastical celibacy, of which the Synod on the Amazon was a fundamental passage. Now Pope Francis, whose post-synodal apostolic exhortation is awaited, is in serious difficulty: proceeding with the requests of the Synod means creating a fracture in the unity of the Church. But Benedict and Sarah also teach that the unity of the Church is possible only on the Truth. And to those who object to the interventions of the Pope Emeritus, Cardinal Sarah gives a lesson: «With this book, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has not broken his silence. This is the fruit».
A woman and a cardinal try to save Catholics in China
At long last someone has decoded what the Chinese woman shouted to the Pope in St. Peter's Square, before being slapped. It was a heartfelt appeal to rethink the Holy See's policy of reconciliation with Beijing, which is sacrificing hundreds of thousands of Chinese Catholics. A gesture that pairs with Cardinal Zen's letter to his confreres. Signs of an intolerable situation that requires our solidarity.
Burke: Strenghten your faith by going on pilgrimage
Going on a pilgrimage deepens our faith and that in the Holy Land is the mother of all pilgrimages: "Humbly placing your step where the Son of God put his, not only heightens awareness of the events of His life but above all the Mystery of His abiding presence on earth.” These are Cardinal Burke’s reflections at the end of a pilgrimage he led.
A Papal slap. The price of Media Hype
The year 2020 opens with a papal slap on the hand of a pilgrim. The pope apologized, but the episode reveals the truth about his temperament and confirms rumors about his abrupt manners. This makes him more “human,” but relentless media hype has given us a papacy that is more horizontal than vertical. Do we really need this secularization?
It will now be more difficult for bishops to cover up for abusing priests
The new norms issued by the Holy See remove the Pontifical secret on cases of delicta graviora (the most serious crimes) committed by clerics, such as the abuse of minors. This change takes away any sort of “canonical alibi” for bishops, who can now be prosecuted for the canonical crime of “abuse of the episcopal office” if they do not take action when a priest is accused. However, the new norms have consequences that affect not only open procedures but also closed ones.
Cardinal Pell, victim of a witch hunt
Waiting for the High Court decision on the George Pell's appeal, it is more and more evident a case of extreme unjustice against the Cardinal, found guilty in the first and second level trials for abuse committed (on one single occasion) on an unspecified date in the middle of the 1990’s. Today, even secular opinion makers support this thesis. This is a timeline of a mediatic witch hunt
Rosa Mystica, Church Authorises Italy’s “Little Lourdes”
The Bishop of Brescia, Italy, has finally established the diocesan Shrine of Rosa Mystica Mother of the Church in Fontanelle, Montichiari. It’s an historic turnaround and an important step towards recognising the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the presumed visionary Pierina Gilli. Devotion to the Rosa Mystica continues to spread throughout the world, showering graces and miracles.
New Vatican document is ambiguous on divorce, homosexuality
A study by the Pontifical Biblical Commission requested by the Pope has just been published. Based on anticipations, various media outlets are reporting it as an opening of the Church on the topics of divorce and homosexuality. In reality, things are more ambiguous, but from what we have read so far it seems to endorse an approach to Scripture that distances itself from the Tradition.
"Blasphemous acts, to destroy the joy of Christmas"
A Netflix streaming of a blasphemous film that portrays a gay Jesus and a poster which portrays Jesus in the act of pedophile impulses displayed at a museum in Rome are disgusting the Catholic world. Cardinal Burke: “Art has become an expression of the meaningless of life without God; they hate Christ because he reveals this emptiness.” " It’s scandalous that bishops and priests remain silent when God is attacked, it is a sign of the grave crisis in the Church." "The faithful should make acts of reparation and make use of every lawful means to prevent these obscenities from proliferating.”
Padre Pio Brings Us Into the Mystery of the Baby Jesus
For the Saint of Pietrelcina, Christmas was the most beautiful feast of the entire liturgical year. Through his writings and the testimonies of those who experienced it with him, we discover the reason for his ineffable love, which led him to live the Holy Night completely taken up into an ecstasy of love. Beginning with the novena of Advent, which inflamed his spirit, to the procession with the Holy Infant caressed by his wounded hands, we also prepare ourselves with Saint Pio for the coming of the Lord.
“Those Poor Clares pray too much.” Expelled from the monastery
The incredible story of Sister Maria Giuliana and five other nuns of the Convent of Porto Viro (Veneto, Italy) who saw their community destroyed two years ago, commissioned by the Vatican at the request of the Bishop of Chioggia and the Franciscan Provincial: the Mother Superior was publicly accused of plagiarism of the sisters and of financial scandals, but the roots of the problem lie in the long resistance of Sister Maria Giuliana against the effort to distort the contemplative life and the Rule of Saint Clare. Among the charges: the presence of statues of Saint Michael the Archangel in the convent.
