Posts Tagged ‘Vatican’

Easter deadline for Peru Catholic University

Friday, February 24th, 2012

The Catholic University of Peru has told university officials it has until Easter Sunday, April 8, to comply with Church standards. As reported in CathNews, following a visitation by Cardinal Peter Erdo of Budapest, President of the European Bishops, the rector of the Pontifical University of Peru was been summoned to meet Secretary of State, Cardinal Read more

Five questions about the Vatican leaks scandal

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

In the run-up to a consistory, Rome takes on the atmosphere of a college reunion. Church people from all over turn up, making it hard to walk down the street without bumping into someone you know. That’s been the case this week, ahead of Saturday’s consistory in which Pope Benedict XVI will create 22 new Read more

Pope scuttles resignation rumours

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

In his speech to newly created cardinals, Pope Benedict has indirectly denied recent speculation that he may resign, reports Vatican Insider. A number of people have been hinting at his resignation; however the soon-to-be 85 year old Pontiff concluded his speech with an indirect denial of his pending resignation. “Pray also for me, that I Read more

Vatican calls for “calm” in face of “monsignors’ mutiny”

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi S.J. has called on Vatican officials to “remain calm” and “keep our neve” in the face of several recent embarrassing leaked documents. Despite the documents appearing to have different levels of importance, Lombardi described the situation as “very sad”. He called on the press to “make careful distinctions,” to not Read more

Pontifical University Peru threatened with closure

Friday, February 17th, 2012

The rector of the Pontifical University of Peru has been summoned to meet Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in Rome. The meeting follows a visitation by Cardinal Peter Erdo of Budapest, president of the Council of European Bishops, which reportedly concluded the Pontifical University was refusing to acknowledge the authority of the Holy See. University officials Read more

Only certainty is uncertainty for priests who remain in Homs, Syria

Monday, February 13th, 2012

As the government intensifies its strikes in Homs, Syria, some priests are remaining behind. Vatican Nuncio, Archbishop Mario Zenari said in an email to CNS that the only certain thing about their safety is its uncertainty. Zenari is in almost daily contact with the priests in Homs. “The decision to remain is theirs,” Archbishop Zenari said. Read more

Ancient text suggests more than three wise men

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

A reputedly first-hand account of the Three Wise Men, who came to bring gifts to the child Jesus, has been found in the Vatican archives. According to a Times article in The Australian, the new account suggests there were “scores” of Magi, rather than just the three wise men bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Read more

Vatican Radio Archbishop Dew Interview and Rome’s view of NZ

Friday, December 16th, 2011

In an interview on Vatican Radio Archbishop Dew said  “Our main challenge, I suppose is how to be present in an increasingly secular society. We are often described as a very secular country, and this is a problem that we are trying to deal with by being a stronger presence in society.” “For example, we Read more

NZ Bishops in Rome for ad limina visit

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have arrived in Rome for their ad limina visit, which begins Monday 12 December. They will be joined by Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand. The last ad limina visit for New Zealand bishops was in 2004. Archbishop John Dew, Wellington; Bishop Patrick Dunn, Auckland; Bishop Denis Browne, Hamilton; Read more

Vatican’s Christmas tree lifted in St Peter’s Square

Friday, December 9th, 2011