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“We have to be careful who gets their hands on it”

By Amy Welborn on Jan 19, 2023 11:03 pm
Why, the Catechism of the Catholic Church of course! Over the past few weeks, the Catechism has been trending here and there for a couple of reasons. First, Benedict XVI’s death, which prompted folks to [...]
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How to help Catholics get married

By Rachel Hoover on Jan 19, 2023 10:37 pm
In Part One of this essay, I noted that marriage rates have declined in recent decades, including among Catholics, and that there are countless reasons for this trend. While many Catholics have been impacted by [...]
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Tom Hanks’ new movie is Frank Capra-like—and lite

By Nick Olszyk on Jan 19, 2023 08:14 pm
MPAA Rating: PG-13 CNS Rating: A-III Reel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Disclaimer: This review contains major spoilers. Nobody wants to be around a grump, but everyone secretly loves them. Oscar and Grumpy Cat [...]
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Report: Christian persecution at its highest point in 30 years

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 18, 2023 10:05 pm
null / Tudoran Andrei/Shutterstock Rome Newsroom, Jan 18, 2023 / 13:05 pm (CNA). The persecution of Christians is at its highest point in three decades, according to the latest report from advocacy group Open Doors.The World Watch List, release... [...]
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Listening to the Church Fathers: An interview with Fr. Aidan Nichols, O.P.

By Paul Senz on Jan 18, 2023 08:57 pm
The influence and importance of the Church Fathers cannot be overstated. Some of the earliest Fathers sat at the feet of the apostles, learning directly from their mouths the teachings of Our Lord. Through their [...]
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Opinion: Benedict XVI, Cardinal Pell, and criticism of Pope Francis

By Dr. Edward Feser on Jan 18, 2023 02:59 pm
In the wake of the deaths of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal George Pell, it has emerged that each of them raised serious criticisms of aspects of Pope Francis’s teaching and governance of the [...]
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2023 March for Life: 8 things for pro-lifers to know

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 18, 2023 02:00 pm
Young adults hold colorful signs outside the U.S. Supreme Court at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2022. / Christine Rousselle/CNA Washington D.C., Jan 18, 2023 / 12:00 pm (CNA). Pro-life Americans from across the country ar... [...]
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Cardinal George Pell: The Encourager

By George Weigel on Jan 18, 2023 05:20 am
On Tuesday, January 3, when Cardinal George Pell and I went to pay our respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, lying in state in St. Peter’s, I couldn’t help but notice the reverence with which [...]
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Extra, Extra! News and views for January 18, 2023

By CWR Staff on Jan 18, 2023 04:14 am
Incoherent Documents – “Shortly before he died on Tuesday, Cardinal George Pell wrote the following article for The Spectator in which he denounced the Vatican’s plans for its forthcoming ‘Synod on Synodality’ as a ‘toxic [...]
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My friendship with Cardinal Pell

By Most Reverend James Conley on Jan 17, 2023 05:49 pm
Catholics around the world mourned a Churchman, a bishop who was for decades a pastoral and intellectual force for the Gospel — they mourned Cardinal George Pell, who died unexpectedly Jan. 10. I, too, mourn [...]
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Cardinal Zen ‘very concerned’ about Synod on Synodality

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 17, 2023 09:21 am
Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong, attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. / Credit: Diane Montagna

Rome, Italy, Jan 17, 2023 / 07:21 am (CNA).

Cardinal Joseph Zen has said that he is “very concerned” about what could happen with the ongoing Synod on Synodality and that he is praying that “our pope will have greater wisdom.”

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale published on Jan. 17, Zen said he hopes the synod will change from its current course.

“I fear that the synod is repeating the same mistake of the Dutch Church 50 years ago when the bishops backtracked and accepted the faithful to lead the Church; then their number decreased,” he said.

The retired bishop of Hong Kong was likely referring to the Pastoral Council of Noordwijkerhout held in the Netherlands between 1966 and 1970, which called for Church authority to be carried out in dialogue, for women to assume ecclesial roles, and for priestly celibacy to be optional in the Church.

The council followed the publication of the “Dutch Catechism,” a text so controversial that Pope Paul VI asked a commission of cardinals to examine its presentation of Catholic teaching. 

In the interview, Cardinal Zen also reflected on his private meeting with Pope Francis when he was allowed to travel to Rome for the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI earlier this month, calling it “a wonderful meeting, very warm.”

“I thanked the pope for the good bishop appointed to Hong Kong in 2021,” Zen said, referring to Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Chow.

He said Pope Francis replied: “'I know it well, he is a Jesuit!’”

The cardinal, who turned 91 last week, also told the pope about how he has dedicated his time over the past decade to prison ministry in Hong Kong and has baptized several prisoners: “Francis said that he was very happy for my ministry.”

Zen himself was arrested last year under Hong Kong’s national security law. He said that Catholics in China are living in a difficult situation and “we must never forget to pray in these difficult times.”

“Many faithful bear witness to their faith conscientiously but we know that when the situation becomes difficult, some think only of their own interests. We continue to uphold truth, justice, and charity. Darkness will not win over the light,” he said.

[...]
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Newman, “the infidelity of the future,” and the challenges of today

By Peter M.J. Stravinskas on Jan 16, 2023 10:26 pm
Editor’s note: The following homily preached on January 16, 2023 for the day of recollection for the faculty of the Donahue Academy at Ave Maria University. In our opening session this morning, I suggested considering [...]
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Religion, Politics, and the Golden Gate Bridge

By Father Jerry J. Pokorsky on Jan 16, 2023 07:41 pm
Our Catholic religion often falls victim to manipulation by priests and laity for political purposes. How do we avoid and correct the secular encroachment of the Catholic faith or religious violations of reasonable non-religious duties? [...]
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Remembering Cardinal Pell

By Tracey Rowland on Jan 16, 2023 12:08 pm
In one of my last conversations with Cardinal Pell we talked about Margit Balogh’s biography of Cardinal Mindszenty, titled Victim of History. Balogh chose as the opening epigraph Mindszenty’s statement: “I shall keep on fighting…until [...]
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Islamic State bombs church service in Congo

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 16, 2023 05:00 am
Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo / Shutterstock Rome Newsroom, Jan 16, 2023 / 03:00 am (CNA). The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing at a Protestant church service on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo.... [...]
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Analysis: Pope Francis centralizes authority with reform of Diocese of Rome

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 15, 2023 01:00 pm
Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023. / Vatican Media

Rome Newsroom, Jan 15, 2023 / 11:00 am (CNA).

It was widely anticipated that a major reform of the Diocese of Rome was coming, as Pope Francis has been thinking about it for some time.

But no one expected it to come when it did: On Jan. 6, one day after the funeral of Francis’ predecessor as Bishop of Rome, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

With the reform, Pope Francis firmly took over the reins of the vicariate, or hierarchy, of the diocese. Everything is centralized, and everything must pass, at least formally, under the control of the pontiff.

Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, the pope's vicar for the diocese, sees his role deeply diminished. The diocese’s auxiliary bishops strengthen their direct link with the pope. In the end, the pope has made it clear that he is the one who also formally presides over the Episcopal Council, a new body established as an "expression of synodality."

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis. .  Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis. . Daniel Ibanez/CNA

The backstory

Before going into some details of the new decree, however, some background is necessary. 

The last reform of the structure of the Vicariate of Rome was outlined by John Paul II in 1908, with the apostolic constitution Ecclesia In Urbe. For the new reform, Pope Francis copied and pasted several passages from that document. In some cases, these have been minimally rewritten to emphasize some details instead of others. In other cases, greater changes were made but these do little to alter the basic substance of things.

The reform presents two general characteristics of Pope Francis' way of legislating: using councils or commissions and requiring those bodies to report directly to him.

It is clear that the pope is the bishop of Rome and that the pope's vicar for the diocese is his auxiliary. Pope Francis, however, in this case, goes further, including with the constitution a decree that directly defines the areas of competence of the auxiliary bishops.

Pope Francis shows, in this way, a willingness to exercise greater personal control over everything that happens in the vicariate. At the same time, this choice also testifies to a "break" in the relationship of trust with his vicar, Cardinal de Donatsi.

Although Francis called de Donatis to preach retreats to the Roman Curia in 2014, he was never the pope’s candidate to succeed Cardinal Vallini as vicar. That was Cardinal Paolo Lojudice.

Pope Francis, however, wanted to first consult the parish priests of Rome, 80% of whom preferred de Donatis. It was impossible, therefore, for the pope not to listen to them. He appointed De Donatis vicar (and cardinal) and made Lojudice archbishop of the prestigious Diocese of Siena, and a cardinal, as well.

Last May, at the general assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference, it seemed clear that Pope Francis preferred the appointment of Cardinal Lojudice as the new president of the CEI. 

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice. Francesco Pierantoni via Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0)/Pufui PcPifpef via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice. Francesco Pierantoni via Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0)/Pufui PcPifpef via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

The plan was to appoint Lojudice vicar of the Diocese of Rome to succeed Cardinal de Donatis, who had finished his five-year term, which would then have made Lojudice the primary contact person for the pope both in Rome and among the Italian bishops. De Donatis would have been appointed the new Penitentiary in place of Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who has now turned 78.

The Italian bishops, however, preferred Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, who was not unwelcome to Pope Francis.

Lojudice didn’t become vicar for the Rome Diocese, either, as everyone assumed would happen. Meanwhile, the relationship of trust between de Donatis and the pope seemed to have been interrupted in 2020, when, at the beginning of the lockdown for COVID-19, de Donatis decided to close the churches of Rome. When Pope Francis later highlighted the inadvisability of closing churches, de Donatis withdrew the decree but announced that every decision had been made in agreement with the pope. There also have been other moments of friction in recent years. 

The pope, however, now seems intent on changing the vicar this year when de Donatis’ mandate expires. An indication of this is the fact that in the decree in which the Pope defines the area and pastoral competencies of the auxiliary bishops, de Donatis is not mentioned as vicar. One might take his presence for granted, of course, but the general interpretation is that the change will be made.

What's new

What are the novelties introduced by Pope Francis? First, the figure of the prelate general secretary disappears, while the vicegerente (or the deputy of the vicar) manages the offices of the General Secretariat. The prelate secretary also had the function of the moderator of the Curia. In this case, everything is entrusted to the vicegerente, who thus sees his functions and weight increase.

The pope chose the vicegerente from among the auxiliary bishops, and in this case, Baldassare Reina was selected. Bishop Reina does not come from the Diocese of Rome but was called from Agrigento. The pope's logic is to break possible power chains by bringing in fresh and foreign forces.

The choice of a new parish priest is entrusted to a lengthy procedure which must then, in any case, be submitted to the pope, who acts as the true and proper bishop of Rome without relying on the vicar, who is left with the appointment of assistant parish priests.

Article 20 of the Constitution requests a report for each candidate for the priesthood or diaconate to be submitted before ordination. Also, in this case, the candidates must be presented by the cardinal vicar to the pope, and only after obtaining the Episcopal Council's consent. Therefore, the vicar seems to be practically a commissariat: He does not choose the candidates but submits them to the pope and can submit them only after the Episcopal Council has endorsed the choice.

The council is defined as the "first organ of Synodality" and must meet "at least three times a month," presided over by the pope. Only in the absence of the pope can the cardinal vicar preside over the council, which is made up of the vicegerent and the auxiliary bishops. However, the pope wants to receive "the agenda for each meeting as soon as possible."

Finally, there is also the establishment of an Independent Supervisory Commission. This will have a regulation that must be "approved by the Pope" and six members appointed by the pope who can remain in office for a maximum of two five-year terms.

The service for the protection of minors and vulnerable people is also added, which "reports to the Episcopal Council, through the auxiliary bishop appointed by me,” the pope has decreed.

Pope Francis attends the Italian bishops’ plenary assembly in Rome on May 24, 2021. Vatican Media.
Pope Francis attends the Italian bishops’ plenary assembly in Rome on May 24, 2021. Vatican Media.

The effects of the reform

The constitution also redistributes the areas and offices of the Vicariate's Curia, and the accompanying decree gives each auxiliary bishop a specific task.

Beyond the reorganization, it should be noted how the pope enters into action as the actual bishop of Rome. Everything must pass through the decisions of the pope, while before, the cardinal vicar enjoyed trust and discretion. For the first time, however, the pope's vicar is defined as an "auxiliary." He is, therefore, an auxiliary among the auxiliaries, with a considerable reduction in his weight.

With this centralization, Pope Francis probably wants to overcome the risk of having "abuses" within the Vicariate.

It is worth remembering that in June 2021, Pope Francis ordered an inspection of the Vicariate itself. It was an audit entrusted to the Auditor General of the Holy See, Alessandro Cassinis Righini. It was the first time the Vicariate sifted through the accounting books, registers, and cooperative societies.

However, the Pope, as a matter of practice, has sent an inspection to all the dicasteries of the Curia every time there is a reform or a new mandate. The review, therefore, already predicted the change of pace in the Vicariate, one that has led Pope Francis to be increasingly alone in command.

[...]
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T.S. Eliot and Uncritical Biography

By Edward Short on Jan 14, 2023 09:31 pm
I The other day, I was reading Eugenio Montale’s introduction to Allen Mandlebaum’s translation of The Divine Comedy and I was struck by the wisdom of something the modern Italian poet said, and it was [...]
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Where does the Francis pontificate go from here?

By Christopher R. Altieri on Jan 14, 2023 01:15 pm
Morto ’n papa se ne fa n’artro, say the Romans – “When one pope dies, another is made” – and like all maxims and proverbs and other dicta of social wisdom, this one is true [...]
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‘A man of the Church’: Cardinal George Pell’s funeral celebrated at Vatican

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 14, 2023 09:50 am
Cardinal George Pell's coffin in front of some of the cardinals who concelebrated his funeral Mass on Jan. 14, 2023 / Alan Koppschall/CNA

Vatican City, Jan 14, 2023 / 07:50 am (CNA).

Catholics traveled from near and far to attend the funeral Mass of Cardinal George Pell in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday.

The Australian cardinal died in Rome Jan. 10 from a cardiac arrest following a hip surgery. He was 81.

His Jan. 14 funeral, held at the Altar of the Chair, was filled to capacity, with extra chairs added at the last minute to accommodate people standing as far back as the Vatican basilica’s main altar.

Cardinal George Pell's funeral in St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 14, 2023. Vatican Media
Cardinal George Pell's funeral in St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 14, 2023. Vatican Media

“A man of God and a man of the Church, he was characterized by a deep faith and great steadfastness of doctrine, which he always defended without hesitation and with courage, concerned only with being faithful to Christ,” Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said about Pell in his homily for the funeral.

“As he noted many times, the weakening of faith in the Western world and the moral crisis of the family grieved him,” Re said. “To God, who is good and rich in mercy, we entrust this brother of ours, praying that God will welcome him into the peace and intimacy of his love.”

Pell’s brother, David Pell, and cousin Chris Meney, together with other family members, priests, and religious, traveled from Australia to be at the funeral.

Michael Casey, Pell’s former secretary who now works at the Australian Catholic University, was also in attendance.

From Rome, Holy See diplomats, students, and priests, also came to pray for Pell’s repose. Seminarians of the Pontifical North American College attended the funeral Mass immediately following their audience with Pope Francis the same morning.

American author George Weigel, a longtime friend of Cardinal Pell, traveled from the United States for the funeral.

The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the deacon of the College of Cardinals, and concelebrated by cardinals and bishops.

Pell’s private secretary during his years in Rome, Father Joseph Hamilton, and archbishop Georg Gänswein, the longtime secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, also concelebrated.

Archbishop Georg Gänswein concelebrates the funeral Mass of Cardinal George Pell on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA
Archbishop Georg Gänswein concelebrates the funeral Mass of Cardinal George Pell on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA

Pope Francis arrived at the end of the Mass to perform the rite of final commendation and farewell, as is his custom for the funeral of a cardinal.

“May God unite his soul with those of all the saints and faithful departed,” the pope prayed. “May he be given a merciful judgement so that, redeemed from death, freed from punishment, reconciled to the Father, carried in the arms of the Good Shepherd, he may deserve to enter fully into everlasting happiness in the company of the eternal King together with all the saints.”

Pope Francis presided over the Final Commendation and Farewell at the end of Cardinal George Pell's funeral on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA
Pope Francis presided over the Final Commendation and Farewell at the end of Cardinal George Pell's funeral on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA

Francis sprinkled holy water. A priest incensed the coffin as the choir and congregation sang the Marian antiphon Sub Tuum Praesidium.

Applause broke out as Pell’s coffin was carried from St. Peter’s Basilica.

The cardinal will be buried in his former cathedral, St. Mary’s, in Sydney, Australia.

The day before his funeral, a visitation was held for Pell in the Church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini inside the Vatican.

A visitation was held for Cardinal George Pell in the Church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini inside the Vatican on Jan. 13, 2023.
A visitation was held for Cardinal George Pell in the Church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini inside the Vatican on Jan. 13, 2023.

The Gospel for Cardinal Pell’s funeral Mass was from Luke 12, about the vigilant and faithful servants: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival,” Luke 12:37 says.

The Responsorial Psalm was from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

In his homily, Re remarked on Pell’s unexpected death, and on his recent attendance at the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI.

A Swiss Guard genuflects during the consecration at Cardinal George Pell's funeral Mass on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA
A Swiss Guard genuflects during the consecration at Cardinal George Pell's funeral Mass on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA

“Despite his 81 years, he seemed to be in good health,” he said. “Hospitalized for hip surgery, heart complications ensued, causing his death.”

“Enlightened and comforted by faith in the risen Christ, we are gathered around this altar and the body of Cardinal Pell to entrust his soul to God, that he may be received into the immensity of his love in life without end.”

Re described Pell as a “strong-willed and decisive protagonist, characterized by the temper of a strong character, which at times could appear harsh.”

The cardinal’s premature death, Re said, has left us dismayed, but “there is only room in our hearts for hope.”

Cardinal George Pell's coffin is removed from the altar after his funeral Mass on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA
Cardinal George Pell's coffin is removed from the altar after his funeral Mass on Jan. 14, 2023. Alan Koppschall/CNA

[...]
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The Lamb of God and the Salvation of the World

By Carl E. Olson on Jan 14, 2023 05:00 am
Readings: • Is 49:3, 5-6 • Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 • 1 Cor 1:1-3 • Jn 1:29-34 Taken as a whole, this Sunday’s readings can, I think, be summarized in a single sentence: [...]
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Ascension Press’s new edition of the Catechism is elegant and accessible

By Gregory J. Sullivan on Jan 13, 2023 08:59 pm
When the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) was promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1992, a huge gap in catechesis was closed. For the first time in over four-hundred years, the Church had [...]
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Why aren’t young Catholics marrying?

By Rachel Hoover on Jan 13, 2023 07:56 pm
We all know that marriage rates are low in the United States. The most recent American Family Survey found that only 45% of Americans are currently married (down from 50% in 2015). Despite the Church’s [...]
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Pavone: It’s possible I missed laicization notice

By Catholic News Agency on Jan 13, 2023 11:33 am
Frank Pavone gives a reflection on Scripture on his YouTube channel. / Credit: Screengrab YouTube Jan. 7, 2023. Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 13, 2023 / 09:33 am (CNA). Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life, was notified of h... [...]
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