Catholic News
- The Holy Spirit acts with power and gentleness, Pope preaches at Pentecost Mass (Vatican Press Office)
The Holy Spirit acts with power and gentleness, both “in us and in mission,” Pope Francis preached at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Pentecost Sunday (video, booklet). Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, was the principal celebrant. “The Spirit’s work in us is powerful, as symbolized by the signs of wind and fire, which are often associated with God’s power in the Bible,” the Pope preached. “At the same time, the Paraclete’s working in us is also gentle ... The wind and the fire do not destroy or reduce to ashes whatever they touch: the one fills the house where the disciples are, and the other rests gently, in the form of flames, on the head of each.” “Like the Apostles, we too are being sent forth, particularly at the present time, to proclaim the Gospel to all,” the Pope continued. “Thanks to the Spirit, we can and must do this with his own power and gentleness.” - Meditate on Jesus' 'transformative words of love' every day: papal Regina Caeli address (Vatican Press Office)
During his Regina Caeli address on Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis encouraged pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to meditate on the words of the Gospel daily and to pray to God in silent adoration. The “words that the Father and the Son say to each other” are “precisely the transformative words of love, which the Holy Spirit repeats in us, and which it is good for us to listen to, because these words engender and make grow the same sentiments and the same intentions in our heart: they are fruitful words,” the Pope said, as he reflected on John 16:13. “This is why it is important that we nourish ourselves every day with the words of God, the words of Jesus, inspired by the Spirit,” he continued. “The Word of God silences our superficial chatter and makes us say serious words, beautiful words, joyful words.” “Dear sisters and brothers, reading and meditating on the Gospel, praying in silence, saying good words: they are not difficult things, no, we can all do them,” he added. “May Mary, present at Pentecost with the Apostles, make us docile to the voice of the Holy Spirit.” - Texas border closing is 'madness,' Pope says (Vatican News)
Pope Francis denounced efforts by the state of Texas to close its border to migrants, during an interview broadcast on May 19 on CBS 60 Minutes. ”Closing the border and leaving them there is madness,” the Pope said. “Maybe they need to be sent back— I don’t know— but each case must be considered humanely.” The papal interview had received considerable publicity even before it aired, because of previews in which the Pope dismissed conservative opposition, saying that conservative ideology is suicidal. In the full interview, conducted by Norah O’Donnell, the Pontiff spoke urgently about the need for peace in Ukraine and Gaza. He also said that while the Church welcomes everyone, Catholicism cannot accommodate same-sex marriage. Questioned about surrogate motherhood, the Pope lamented that the practice “has become a business, and this is very bad.” When O’Donnell said that it might be the only choice for some women who want babies, the Pope seemed to concur, but they suggested the alternative of adoption. - Orthodox Patriarch: Pope will join in Nicea celebrations (The Tablet)
Pope Francis plans to visit Turkey next year to join with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea. Patriarch Bartholomew discussed plans for the celebration at a May 16 press conference, saying that the Pope has indicated he will travel to Constantinople and accompany the Orthodox leader to Nicea for the ceremonies. The Vatican has not confirmed plans for the papal trip. Patriarch Bartholomew indicated that the Vatican “will contact the Turkish government, to formalize his visit and his involvement in these coming celebrations.” - Don't let discord lead to death, Pope says during journey to Verona (CNS)
Pope Francis made a brief apostolic journey to Verona on May 18. The city of 250,000 is only 65 miles from Venice, which the Pope visited on April 28. Upon his arrival, the Pope met with priests and religious in the Basilica of San Zeno. During the meeting, the Pope spoke about the Lord’s “call, the call received and always to be accepted,” as well as “the mission, to be carried out with boldness.” The Pope then met with young people and chaired a peace meeting, during which an Israeli and a Palestinian spoke together. The Israeli’s parents were killed by Hamas on October 7; the Palestinian’s brother was killed by Israeli soldiers. The Pope embraced the two of them. In the afternoon, Pope Francis spoke at a prison and presided at Mass in a stadium. In his extemporaneous homily, the Pope said that “the Holy Spirit gives us the courage to live the Christian life ... Listen to the Spirit, pray to the Spirit, and if it is He changing your life, trust the Spirit.” - New Vatican norms centralize decisions on apparitions (Vatican Press Office)
The Vatican has released new norms for discerning the authenticity of Marian apparitions and other reports of supernatural phenomena. A document released on May 17 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) gives that Vatican office the role of issuing a final pronouncement on reported apparitions, after an investigation by the bishop of the diocese in which the phenomena are reported. The DDF document states that no such pronouncements will affirm with certainty that the phenomena are of supernatural origin and merit the belief of the faithful. The DDF explains that no private revelations command that belief. Instead a positive judgment will state that the phenomena appear to be of supernatural origin. In a statement released along with the new document, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the prefect of the DDF, explains that new norms were necessary for several reasons: because under existing norms, investigations often took years or decades, allowing lingering uncertainty over the authenticity of reports; because when diocesan bishops judged the phenomena to be of supernatural origin, that determination placed an undue burden on faithful Catholics who were not persuaded of their authenticity; because some phenomena that appeared to be supernatural are accompanied by special beliefs or devotions that may be injurious to the Catholic faith, and therefore deserve cautious treatment. Cardinal Fernandez, in his introductory statement, explained that reported apparitions frequently involved “serious critical issues that are detrimental to the faithful.” He mentioned the possibility that people might exploit such reports for “profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest.” Regarding the judgments that have until now been made by diocesan bishops, the cardinal remarked that “some bishops have wanted to make statements such as, “I confirm the absolute truth of the facts” and “the faithful must undoubtedly consider as true…”. These expressions effectively oriented the faithful to think they had to believe in these phenomena, which sometimes were valued more than the Gospel itself.” The necessity for new norms is greater, the DDF observed, because of the rapidity with which reports are spread through modern means of communication. The document states that “the pastors of the Church are responsible for handling these phenomena with care by recognizing their fruits, purifying them of negative elements, or warning the faithful about potential dangers arising from them.” ”At the same time,” the DDF cautions, “it should also be acknowledged that some phenomena, which could have a supernatural origin, at times appear connected to confused human experiences, theologically inaccurate expressions, or interests that are not entirely legitimate.” The new norms issued by the DDF allow for a range of judgments, including various degrees of caution, rather than simply declaring that the phenomena are or are not of supernatural origin. In a reversal of the decentralization that Pope Francis has touted as a model for Church governance, the DDF document takes a responsibility that had been left to diocesan bishops, and gives it to the Vatican—with a provision that the Roman Pontiff might intervene personally in a decision. The document reports that in practice, diocesan bishops have often consulted with the DDF before rendering their judgments—although those consultations have been informal, and therefore not officially recorded. - Vatican announces papal journey to Luxembourg, Belgium (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Francis will visit Luxembourg on September 26 and Belgium on September 26-29, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office. While in Belgium, the Pope will visit Brussels (the nation’s capital), Leuven, and Louvain-la-Neuve. Luxembourg, a nation of 680,000 (map), is 74% Christian (71% Catholic), 4% Muslim, and 21% agnostic. Belgium, a nation of 11.9 million (map), is 61% Christian (58% Catholic), 26% agnostic, 9% Muslim, and 2% atheist. - Vatican leaders convened by Pope for Monday meeting (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Frrancis convened a meeting on May 20 of the heads of all Vatican dicasteries. The Vatican did not disclose the reason for the meeting. Meetings of the Pope with all the leaders of the Roman Curia are infrequent but not extraordinary. - Holy See: The Church's freedom is for the good of Vietnamese society (Vatican News)
The Vietnam – Holy See Joint Working Group met in Hanoi on May 18—the first meeting since last July’s agreement that paved the way for the appointment of the first resident papal representative in Vietnam since 1975. “While reaffirming the freedom of the Church to carry out its mission for the good of the whole of society, [participants] noted that the Catholic community in Vietnam will continue to be inspired by the Magisterium of the Church regarding the practice of ‘living the Gospel in the world’ and being, at the same time, good Christians and good citizens,” according to a statement issued after the meeting. “The two sides had a broad and thorough exchange of views,” the statement added. “The meeting was characterized by an atmosphere of cordiality, frankness and mutual respect.” - Conservatism is suicidal, Pope tells '60 Minutes' (Reuters)
In his latest criticism of conservative Catholics in the US, Pope Francis told a “60 Minutes” interviewer that conservatism is a “suicidal attitude.” In an interview that will be broadcast on the CBS show on May 19, the Pope responded to a question about his critics by saying that a conservative “clings to something and does not want to see beyond that.” He added that “one thing is to take tradition into account, to consider situations from the past, but quite another is to be closed up inside a dogmatic box.” - Pontiff confers the title of Blessed on Guy de Montpellier (Vatican News)
In the apostolic letter Fide Incensus, issued motu proprio (at his own initiative) on May 18, Pope Francis conferred the title of Blessed on Guy de Montpellier, who founded the Order of Hospitallers of the Holy Spirit and died in 1208. The Pope also declared that his liturgical memorial will be kept on February 7 in those institutes inspired by Blessed Guy’s charism. “The example of Guy de Montpellier, an absolutely unique man in his humble spiritual life, obedience and service to the poor, has always attracted and inspired,” the Pontiff wrote. “We believe, therefore, that the moment has come in which he should be presented in a special way to the Church of God, to whom he continues to speak through his faith and works of mercy.” The Pontiff said he was responding to “numerous requests constantly forwarded by Cardinals, Bishops, Religious, and above all by Orders, Congregations and Institutes inspired by Guy’s Rule and life, as well as by lay people who have approached the Holy See.” Fide Incensus is the 72nd motu proprio of the current pontificate, according to the list on the Vatican website. Pope St. John Paul II issued 31 during his 27 years as Pontiff; Pope Benedict XVI issued 13. - Papal prayer to the Holy Spirit for harmony, peace (Vatican Press Office)
At the conclusion of his Regina Caeli address on Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis renewed his plea for peace, after stating that the Holy Spirit creates harmony “from different, at times even conflictual, realities.” “Today, the Feast of Pentecost, let us pray to the Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and the Son, that He may create harmony in hearts, harmony in families, harmony in society, harmony in the entire world; may the Spirit make communion and fraternity grow between Christians of different denominations; give governors the courage to make gestures of dialogue, that lead to an end to wars,” the Pope said to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. He then spoke of “today’s many wars: think of Ukraine – my thoughts go in particular to the city of Kharkiv, which suffered an attack two days ago; think of the Holy Land, of Palestine, of Israel; think of the many places where there are wars. May the Spirit guide the leaders of nations and all of us to open the doors to peace.” - Justice Department investigating conditions at Catholic migrant facility in Pennsylvania (CatholicVote)
The US Department of Justice is investigating complaints that migrant children are living in “deplorable” conditions in a Catholic institution in Pennsylvania. Internal messages obtained via a Freedom of Access to Information Act request by the American Accountability Foundation highlight complaints about the Journey of Hope facility, run under a government contract and led by Sister Linda Yankoski. - Orthodox Church cautions on ordination of female deacon (Patriarchate of Alexandria)
An Orthodox prelate who ordained a woman as a deacon apparently acted without approval from ecclesiastical superiors. Metropolitan Seraphim of Zimbabwe ordained a female deacon on May 2. But the Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, to which he is subject, has released a statement saying that although a Synod meeting in 2016 decided to “revive and activate the institution of deaconesses,” that decision was “referred for further study” before implementation, and the “the examination of the matter by the Synod has not been completed for a final decision.” - Papal envoy attends inauguration of Taiwan's president (UCANews)
Archbishop Charles Brown, the Vatican nuncio in the Philippines, traveled to Taiwan to attend the inauguration of President Lai Ching-Te on May 20. The Holy See has maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan for over 80 years. The Vatican representation in Taiwan— currently headed by Archbishop Stefano Mazzotti as chargé d’affaires— is a source of friction in Rome’s relationship with China. - Record 18,000 complete Chartres pilgrimage (Ouest France)
A record 18,000 traditionalist Catholics concluded an annual pilgrimage with an outdoor Latin Mass at the cathedral at Chartres, France on May 20. The pilgrimage, held annually sine 1983, brings together a growing group of mostly young Catholics seeking the restoration of the traditional liturgy. This year organizers were forced to close off registration as the number of pilgrims exceeded their capacity. A second pilgrimage, organized by the Society of St Pius X, concluding in Paris, drew another 7,000 participants. - Papal encouragement for Loyola-Chicago students (Vatican News)
At a May 20 audience with students from Loyola University in Chicago, Pope Francis encouraged them to draw upon the school’s Jesuit heritage. “In order to move forward you should always go back to your roots,” he said. The Pope urged the students to maintain hope for the future, “which is the anchor on the shore and we cling to its rope.” - Celebrate Laudato Si' Week, USCCB urges (USCCB)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published materials for Laudato Si’ Week 2024. Pope Francis devoted his second encyclical, Laudato Si’ (2015), to care for our common home. The USCCB stated in its materials, “As we honor the great progress made by the global Church in our journey towards ecological conversion and prepare for the next decade of action to care for all God’s creation, we invite you to reflect for the next eight days on the following: what can I do to walk together with my brothers and sisters most impacted by the climate crisis to make sure that our common home remains a place that respects the dignity and interconnectedness of all life?” - Cardinal Tagle named papal envoy to National Eucharistic Congress (USCCB)
Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as his special envoy to the National Eucharistic Congress, which will take place on July 17-21 in Indianapolis. Cardinal Tagle will celebrate the closing Mass at the Congress. Cardinal Tagle’s “deep passion for apostolic mission rooted in the Eucharist is sure to have an inspirational impact for everyone attending the Congress,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. - Catacombs testify to Christian hope, Pope says (Vatican Press Office)
“In the catacombs, everything speaks of hope,” Pope Francis said during a May 17 private audience with members of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology. The Pope welcomed work to make more of the catacombs open to pilgrims, “to visit them and thus be strengthened in faith and hope.” - More...