For centuries, the Catholic Church has maintained that what a penitent says to a priest in the confessional is strictly confidential, but in 2019 that rite continues to be challenged by governments.
Challenges to seal of confession attributed to clergy sex abuse scandals
Vatican names Filipino boy who died at 17 Servant of God
Darwin Ramos, a Filipino teenager who died in 2012 at the age of 17, could be on his way to sainthood after the Vatican declared him a Servant of God in March.
Laity not playing ‘gotcha’ with bishops on abuse, review board chair says
Francesco Cesareo, chair of the National Review Board, told Catholic News Service June 3 that laypeople want transparency and openness from the bishops and the sooner the prelates put aside their guardedness about welcoming laity as partners, the sooner the U.S. church will heal.
‘No healing will come’ from Alabama execution, Catholic group says
In response to the Supreme Court’s May 30 decision to allow the execution of an Alabama death-row inmate, a Catholic group seeking to end the death penalty said in a tweet: “Our work to build a more restorative criminal justice system continues.”
Illinois Senate passage of abortion bill called ‘sad day in history of state’
Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich June 1 said the Illinois Senate’s passage of a bill “eliminating even minimal limitations on abortions under previous law marks a sad moment in our history as a state.”
Italian ministry revokes permit for Catholic-inspired institute
The Italian ministry for culture revoked a license it granted to the Dignitatis Humanae Institute to manage a state-owned historic monument south of Rome, citing irregularities in the bidding process and a breach of contract.
Bishop Dewane calls for action to address gun violence after mass shooting
In the wake of the May 31 mass shooting that left 12 people dead in Virginia Beach, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development called for American society to examine why such violent incidents continue to occur.
Pope says he’s strengthened, encouraged by talks with Benedict XVI
Pope Francis listens to a question from Romanian journalist Cristian Micaci aboard his flight from Sibiu, Romania, to Rome June 2.