Catholic News
- DDF publishes procedures for the return of SSPX priests, laity to full communion (CWN)
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published procedures for the return of priests and lay faithful of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) into full communion with the Church. - Pope, in video, prays for protection of right to life (CWN)
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network released the video associated with Pope Leo’s prayer intention for July. - Vatican spokesman reacts to SSPX consecrations (Vatican News)
Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication, published an editorial, “The Pain of a Rupture,” following the illicit consecration of four new bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X. “In its words and formal statements, the Fraternity says it recognizes the legitimacy and authority of the Successor of Peter, Pope Leo XIV; that it loves him and prays for him,” said Tornielli. In its deeds, however—and deeds always count more than words—it completely disregarded his clearly expressed will, his repeated appeals, and his request not to proceed with schismatic consecrations without pontifical mandate; or rather, with schismatic consecrations explicitly forbidden by the Pope.” Tornielli added: There is room in the Church for the faithful attached to the ancient liturgy; there is room in the Church for discussion, for reading and rereading documents and interpreting them. However, there is no room for judging the Pope and disobeying him by carrying out acts that tear the unity of the “Mystical Body” of Christ, which is the Church. Nor is there room for creating a parallel hierarchy against the explicit prohibition of the one to whom Jesus said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” - Colombia's President Petro meets with Pontiff, discusses land reform (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received President Gustavo Petro of Colombia on July 2, a month before a new Colombian president is scheduled to take office. - Nicaraguan regime detains bishop (EWTN News)
The Nicaraguan regime detained a retired bishop after he publicly prayed for the persecuted Church in Nicaragua. Police detained Bishop Abelardo Mata, 80, on June 29, released him, and detained him again the following day. The prelate is the retired bishop of Estelí. - A Sad Day in Econe [News Analysis] (CWN)
An ordination, like a wedding, should be a happy occasion. But the July 1 consecration of four new bishops for the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) marks a sad day in the history of the Catholic Church: an unnecessary and avoidable breach between an energetic group of Catholics who cherish their faith and a Vatican leadership striving to maintain unity in the Church. - Lithuanian foreign minister meets with Vatican counterpart, welcomes Holy See's support for Ukraine (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania)
Lithuania’s acting minister of foreign affairs met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, during the prelate’s visit to the Baltic nation in commemoration of the centenary of the Lithuanian ecclesiastical province. “Lithuania and the Holy See enjoy a long-standing warm relationship built on mutual respect,” said Kęstutis Budrys. “Lithuania highly appreciates the role of the Holy See in our country’s resistance against the Soviet occupation and in the restoration of an independent state of Lithuania, and, in the context of today’s realities, its support for Ukraine.” “We stand ready to work together to increase pressure on Russia and achieve a sustainable, just peace in Ukraine,” Budrys added. - Vatican spokesman publishes historical overview of Vatican-SSPX relations (Vatican News)
Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication, published “Lefebvre’s schism repeated 38 years later,” an historical overview of relations between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X. “It is a troubled history, marked by generous attempts, doors kept open, and opportunities offered,” Tornielli began. “It is a painful story, characterized by two grave ruptures that led the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, to separate itself from the Pope and from communion with the Church of Rome by committing the schismatic act of consecrating bishops without the pontifical mandate and against the will of the Vicar of Christ.” The overview has six sections: Lefebvre’s decisions The doctrinal agreement signed by Lefebvre The first schismatic act The pilgrimage of 2000 and Pope Benedict’s concessions The 2011 doctrinal preamble and Pope Francis’ faculties New schism, invalid confessions and marriages - Nigerian catechist dies in terrorists' den after torture, starvation; 4 others murdered (Foundation for Investigative Journalism)
The Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria, announced the deaths of five men taken captive by terrorists in February, according to a report from the Nigerian Foundation for Investigative Journalism. “Catechist Victor Paul succumbed to severe torture, preventable illness, and starvation, while the others were brutally murdered by their captors,” according to the archdiocesan announcement. Two dozen other captives, including Paul’s son and pregnant wife, regained their freedom in a series of releases. - Archbishop Fisher promises to welcome repentant SSPX members with open arms (The Catholic Weekly)
Following the illicit consecration of four new bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X. the archbishop of Sydney, Australia, said, “I welcome with open arms those who wish to return to full communion with the Church and to its regular and valid sacramental life.” “People who pride themselves on their orthodoxy should know that schism is a grave sin against the Church and against charity,” said Archbishop Anthony Fisher, O.P., who recently wrote a pastoral letter on Eucharistic adoration. The prelate asked the faithful to “pray for the unity of the Church at this time and for the repentance of these schismatics.” - Philippine bishop denounces corruption as grave sin, urges faithful to take action (Licas.news)
The chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Commission on Interreligious Dialogue denounced corruption as a “grave sin of theft and betrayal of the people.” “We cannot remain silent while funds meant for the poor are being stolen,” Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan said on June 28. “We cannot remain silent while the people’s treasury is being turned into the personal wealth of a few. We cannot remain silent while corruption continues to destroy the future of our children.” “It is not enough to pray for change,” Bishop Bagaforo added. “We must also stand up for change. It is not enough to ask for good governance. We must also demand accountability.” - Students wash parents' feet at Indian Catholic school (Radio Veritas Asia)
Students at a Catholic school in Tezu, India, washed their parents’ feet on July 1. Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao described the act as a “two-way educational effort.” “It teaches children to love, respect, and serve their parents, recognizing that their lives are built upon their parents’ sacrifices and hard work,” he said. “At the same time, it reminds parents that their children love them, are willing to listen to them, and possess unique gifts that deserve to be recognized and nurtured.” - DDF: SSPX bishops, priests excommunicated; SSPX priests' confessions henceforth invalid (CWN)
In a decree issued this morning, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that the Society of Saint Pius X’s four new bishops, along with the prelates who consecrated them, incurred the penalty of automatic excommunication under the Code of Canon Law. - Prelates urge Poland, Ukraine to reject divisive rhetoric (OSV News)
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, joined Ukrainian and Polish cardinals in lamenting mounting tensions between Poland and Ukraine. Calling for a “disarmament of language on both sides,” the prelates said that “it is even more painful that this is happening at a time when Ukraine continues to experience the horrors of war, and Poland has shown great solidarity with millions of Ukrainian brothers and sisters in recent years.” - Cardinal preaches at 50th anniversary Mass of same-sex couple; bishops concelebrate (New Ways Ministry)
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., preached the homily at a recent “Mass of Thanksgiving for 50 Years of Friendship, Partnership, and Commitment in the Pursuit of Justice” of two men, Julian Filochowski and Martin Pendergast, according to New Ways Ministry. “I believe, Julian and Martin, that your faithful friendship is grounded in a shared passion for peace and for the triumph of justice,” Cardinal Radcliffe preached. “Friendship is a way in which God works creatively in each of us, forming us for love.” Two retired bishops—Bishops John Crowley and John Rawsthorne—were among the concelebrants at the June 13 Mass, which took place at Holy Apostles Church in London. A similar 25th anniversary Mass for Filochowski and Pendergast sparked controversy in 2001, as CWN reported at the time. - Cardinal presides over 1st beatification in Vietnam (AFP)
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, one of the two pro-prefects of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presided today at the beatification of Father Trương Bửu Diệp (1897-1946), a priest martyred by Japanese soldiers. An estimated 70,000 people attended the Mass, which took place in Cà Mau. - 5 cardinals, including Cardinals Burke and Müller, reflect on extraordinary consistory (National Catholic Register)
Five cardinals, including Cardinals Raymond Burke and Gerhard Müller, offered their reflections on the recent extraordinary consistory of the College of Cardinals. Cardinal Burke said that the cardinals were “certainly grateful” for the consistory: “we’re getting to know each other more, and that’s very great fruit.” He cautioned, however, that the cardinals “didn’t get to the heart of matters in depth,” and the reports of the discussion tables to the Holy Father included only statements to which the cardinals at the table unanimously agreed. - Venezuelan cardinals meet with Pontiff, discuss humanitarian needs following earthquakes (CWN)
Pope Leo XIV received two Venezuelan cardinals on July 1, a week after earthquakes caused massive destruction there. - Dubai's Catholic churches fully reopen after 3 months of restrictions (Khaleej Times)
Civil officials in Dubai permitted the full reopening of parishes, three months after the imposition of restrictions amid the U.S.-Iran war. “I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the authorities, who have carefully watched over our safety during a particularly delicate time and have now deemed that the moment has come for the full resumption of Christian life in our parish communities,” said Bishop Paolo Martinelli, vicar apostolic of Southern Arabia. - Swiss parish desecrated (OIDAC Europe)
The tabernacle at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Geneva, Switzerland, was stolen and destroyed on June 29. “The tabernacle contained consecrated hosts and liturgical vessels, the former of which were later found discarded in a nearby construction dumpster,” according to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe. “The incident prompted the celebration of a Mass of reparation.” - More...