Vatican - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Vatican opposes criminalisation of homosexuality, top cardinal says

THE Vatican opposes the criminalisation of homosexuality as practiced by a number of countries with the support of Catholic groups, the head of the Vatican's doctrine office said. Presenting a publication which reaffirmed the Vatican's opposition to sex changes, gender theory and surrogate parenthood, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez called laws punishing homosexuality "a big problem" and said: "of course we are not in favour of criminalisation." Fernandez, a liberal theologian whom Pope Francis appointed as head of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith less than a year ago, told reporters it was "painful" to see some Catholics support anti-homosexuality…

Jan

2024

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Benedict would have banned same-sex blessings, aide says on anniversary

WORLD

THE Vatican marked the first anniversary of the death of Pope Benedict XVI, with one of his closest aides saying he never would have approved a recent declaration allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, who was the Church's doctrinal chief under Benedict, and Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, who was Benedict's private secretary, both German, were two headliners at an event marking the anniversary and organised by the conservative U.S.-based Catholic television network EWTN. "It never would have happened (under Benedict) because it was so ambiguous," Mueller said on the sidelines of the event when asked by Reuters…

Dec

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling

WORLD

THE Vatican said in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies. A document from the Vatican's doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the same body had issued in 2021, said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all. It should in no way be confused with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage, it added. It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and "should not prevent or prohibit the…

Dec

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Senior cardinal convicted in Vatican corruption trial

WORLD

CARDINAL Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, was convicted on Saturday of embezzlement and fraud and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail. The Italian prelate's lawyer, Fabio Viglione, told reporters in the courtroom he would appeal, saying his client was innocent. Becciu, who lives in the Vatican, was expected to remain free for the time being. In all, 10 defendants were accused of crimes including fraud, abuse of office and money laundering. All denied wrongdoing. It took Court President Giuseppe Pignatone 25 minutes to read all the verdicts and…

Jun

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Pope Francis orders ex-aide of Pope Benedict to leave Vatican

WORLD

POPE Francis has ordered Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, the private secretary and long-time aide of the late Pope Benedict, to return to his native Germany by the end of the month without any new assignment, the Vatican said. A Vatican statement put an end to speculation about what role Gaenswein, a powerful figure in the Vatican for more than a decade before Francis sidelined him after a personal falling out, would have in the Church. Former Pope Benedict died on December 31, nearly a decade after he resigned in 2013, the first pontiff to do so in 600 years. Gaenswein is…

May

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Rare day at Vatican as two popes share stage

RELIGION

IT was a rare day at the Vatican as two popes shared the limelight in St Peter's Square - Pope Francis and His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Tawadros, dressed in black robes, was the guest of honour at Francis' general audience in a rainy St. Peter's Square. The two sat near each other and delivered a joint blessing at the end. Tawadros, 70, is at the Vatican to mark the 50th anniversary of the first meeting between a Roman pope and a Coptic pope which took place between their respective predecessors, Shenouda III and Paul…

Apr

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Pope Francis calls ‘insinuations’ against John Paul II unfounded

RELIGION

POPE Francis rejected as offensive and unfounded what he called insinuations by the brother of a Vatican schoolgirl who went missing 40 years ago about one of his predecessors as pontiff, Saint John Paul II. Emanuela Orlandi, the daughter of a Vatican usher, failed to return home on June 22, 1983, following a music lesson in Rome. She was 15 at the time and lived with her family inside the Vatican. Her disappearance is one of Italy's most enduring mysteries. The case entered a new chapter on Tuesday when her brother Pietro met with Vatican chief prosecutor Alessandro Diddi, whom Francis has…

Apr

2023

By The African Mirror

Vatican repudiates colonial-era ‘doctrine of discovery’

NEWS

THE Vatican has formally repudiated the colonial-era "doctrine of discovery", used centuries ago to justify European conquests of Africa and the Americas, saying "it is not part of Catholic Church teaching". The Vatican acknowledged in a statement from its culture and human development departments that papal documents from the 15th century were used by colonial powers to give legitimacy to their actions, which included slavery. The departments specifically mentioned the papal bulls Dum Diversas (Until Different) from 1452, Romanus Pontifex (The Roman Pontiff) from 1455, and Inter Caetera (Among Other Things) from 1493. "Historical research clearly demonstrates that the papal…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Pope Francis ‘gradually improving’ in hospital after infection

RELIGION

CRISPIAN BALMER and ALVISE ARMELLINI POPE Francis's health is improving after he was hospitalised with a respiratory infection and he has resumed working while treatment continues, the Vatican said on Thursday. The pope was taken to hospital on Wednesday after complaining of breathing difficulties, raising fresh concerns over the health of the 86-year-old pontiff, who is suffering from a number of ailments. "His Holiness Pope Francis rested well during the night. His clinical picture is gradually improving and he is continuing his planned treatment," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. "This morning after breakfast, he read some newspapers and…

Feb

2023

By The African Mirror

Pope’s plea to Sudan’s leaders

NEWS

PHILIP PULLELLA and WAAKHE SIMON WUDU POPE Francis began a visit to South Sudan with an impassioned plea to its fractious leaders to turn their backs on the violence, ethnic hatred and corruption that have stopped the world's youngest country from achieving peace and prosperity. South Sudan broke away from Sudan to become independent in 2011 after decades of conflict, but civil war erupted in 2013. Despite a 2018 peace deal between the two main antagonists, violence and hunger still plague the country. Tens of thousands of people sang, drummed and ululated as the Roman Catholic leader arrived in the capital Juba…