Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/papal-retreat-a-warning-against-idolatry.html

Papal retreat: A ministry of encouragement, and a warning against idolatry
04 March 2020, 15:15

The preacher for this year’s Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia, Fr Pietro Bovati, warns against modern forms of idolatry, and encourages a “ministry of encouragement”. As he recovers from a cold, Pope Francis continues to follow the exercises from the Vatican.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis is continuing to say Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, and following the spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia, according to a statement Tuesday evening from the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni. “The cold the Holy Father has been diagnosed with in recent days is running its course”, Bruni said, “without symptoms attributable to other diseases”.

Jesuit Father Pietro Bovati, who is directing the spiritual exercises, warned against modern forms of idolatry during his reflection on Tuesday afternoon. 
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/global-compact-on-education-event-moved-to-october.html

Global Compact on Education event moved to October
03 March 2020, 14:14

The Congregation for Catholic Education announces that the Global Compact on Education will take place from 11-18 October 2020. The event had originally been scheduled for May 2020.
By Vatican News

The Global Compact on Education, an event promoted by Pope Francis “to revive commitment to and with the younger generations”, has been postponed from 10-17 May to 11-18 October 2020.

The decision to reschedule the event was taken in light of the “uncertainty linked to the spread of Coronavirus, along with the decisions taken by public authorities on a global scale”, according to a press release from the Congregation for Catholic Education, which has been entrusted with task of organizing the event.

“The Global Pact is not limited to educational and academic institutions but rather, in the belief that commitment to education must be shared by all, involves representatives of religions, international bodies and the various humanitarian institutions, of the academic, economic, political and cultural world”, the Congregation said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-03/women-involved-in-promoting-human-fraternity-document.html

Women creating human fraternity
03 March 2020, 13:04

On Tuesday morning a conference organized by the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, and sponsored by several embassies to the Holy See, explored women’s role in fostering human fraternity.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

The World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), representing millions of Catholic women, has added its voice to the growing movement promoting human fraternity.

Inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the WUCWO hosted an event in Rome on Tuesday morning, sponsored by the Austrian, Philippine, Dutch and Argentine embassies to the Holy See. Several other representations from other embassies to the Holy See were among the participants.

Women Makers of Human Fraternity

The theme for the Tuesday morning event, in view of International Women’s Day, was Women Makers of Human Fraternity.

Guest speakers explored the Document on Human Fraternity from various religious perspectives.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/03/pope-names-rockville-centre-n-y-pastor-as-auxiliary-for-diocese/

Pope names Rockville Centre, N.Y., pastor as auxiliary for diocese
Catholic News Service  Mar 3, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pope Francis has named Father Luis M. Romero Fernandez, who was recently appointed as vicar of Hispanic ministry and evangelization for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, to be an auxiliary bishop of the diocese.

The appointment was announced March 3 in Washington by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Romero, 65, also is pastor of Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Hempstead, New York. A member of the Institute of Christ the Redeemer, he has served his religious congregation in many capacities since his 1981 ordination to the priesthood, including as provincial superior in a number of countries where the congregation’s priests serve. He was last provincial superior for the congregation, whose members also are known as Idente Missionaries, in India from 2011 to 2013.

Born in Palencia, Spain, he is fluent in English and Spanish and has knowledge of French, Portuguese and Italian.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/03/u-s-dioceses-adopt-wide-ranging-plans-to-limit-spread-of-coronavirus/

U.S. dioceses adopt wide-ranging plans to limit spread of coronavirus
Catholic News Service  Mar 4, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dioceses nationwide are taking precautions to guard against the spread of the coronavirus and reminding parishioners to take commonsense steps related to hygiene in their personal lives.

Among the most common preventative measures being taken are urging reception of holy Communion in the hand, suspension of distribution of the Communion cup and exchanging the sign of peace without physical contact.

Diocesan leaders also asked people who are ill to refrain from attending Mass.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/german-bishops-reelect-secretary-on-interim-basis-62631

German bishops reelect secretary on interim basis

Mainz, Germany, Mar 4, 2020 / 11:30 am (CNA).- The secretary of the German bishops’ conference has been reelected to his position, despite announcing last week that he was not a candidate to remain in the role.

Jesuit Father Hans Langendörfer was returned in office by the German bishops on Tuesday, during their spring assembly, currently meeting in the city of Mainz. The priest had said he was stepping down to allow a younger person to fill the role.

On Feb. 26, Langendörfer announced that “I have come to the conclusion that it is now a good time to hand this position over to younger hands," and suggested that a layperson could fill the role.

Several media outlets in Germany speculated that many in the conference, including Langendörfer, hoped that a woman would be elected to fill the position, which plays a key organizational role in the ongoing “synodal process” being conducted by the German bishops’ conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK).
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/papal-retreat-respond-to-god-with-faith-and-prayer.html

Papal retreat: Respond to God with faith and prayer
05 March 2020, 15:36

Retreat director Fr Pietro Bovati continues to reflect on the lessons we can learn from the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
By Vatican News

Jesuit Father Pietro Bovati continued to reflect on the Old Testament account of the Exodus of the Hebrew people from the land of Egypt.

Day 4 afternoon: the journey through the desert

Guiding the spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia on Wednesday afternoon, Fr Bovati said the story of the journey through the desert highlights God’s initiative in salvation history, but does not sufficiently emphasize the importance of the necessary response from people. God’s work of salvation involves the free cooperation of men and women.

In the biblical account, Fr Bovati said the desert is a “figure” or symbol of life. In this life, we sometimes face trials; our response must be one of listening, both to God and to the voice of the least among us. This can be seen by the Gospel account of Jesus’ teaching on the final judgment, when, the Lord says, we will be judged on whether or not we have helped those in need.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/pope-names-new-bishops-for-usa-nigeria-republic-of-congo.html

Pope names new Bishops for USA, Nigeria, Republic of Congo
05 March 2020, 12:03

Pope Francis appoints new Bishops for Atlanta, USA and Kinkala, Republic of Congo; as well as the first Bishop the newly established Diocese of Ekwulobia, Nigeria.
By Vatican News

The Vatican on Thursday announced a number of episcopal appointments, including the first Bishop for a new diocese in Nigeria.

On Thursday, Pope Francis established the Diocese of Ekwulobia, in south eastern Nigeria, and named Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke as its first Ordinary. Bishop Okpaleke is the Bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Ahiara. The new Diocese is formed from a part of the territory of the Diocese of Awka, and will be a suffragan See of the Metropolitan See of Onitsha.

Pope Francis has also named new Bishops for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, USA, and the Diocese of Kinkala, Republic of Congo.

Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., currently serving as Bishop of Savannah, has been appointed as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta, USA. He succeeds Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who was transferred last year to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/wyd-message-2020-pope-invites-youth-to-take-a-risk-and-change.html

WYD Message 2020: Pope invites youth to take a risk and change the world
05 March 2020, 12:58

Pope Francis in his message for the 2020 diocesan World Youth Day, invites young people to be missionary disciples and to give their passions and dreams free rein.
By Lydia O’Kane

It’s two years until the next World Youth Day, which will take place in the city of Lisbon in 2022 and in that intervening time, Pope Francis is inviting young people to reflect on the themes for the diocesan World Youth Days of 2020 and 2021.

“Young man, I say to you, arise!” is the 2020 theme taken from Luke’s Gospel; and 2021 features the biblical text taken from the Acts of the Apostles: “Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen”.
 
Diocesan World Youth Day 2020 is marked on Palm Sunday, April 5.         

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-prayer-intention-march-2020.html

Pope's March prayer intention: "For Catholics in China"
05 March 2020, 16:00

Pope Francis on Thursday released a video message accompanying his prayer intention for March, which this month is for: "The unity of Christians in China".

In his prayer intention for the month of March 2020, Pope Francis encourages Chinese Catholics to be “truly Christians” and “good citizens” who “promote the Gospel, but without engaging in proselytism."

The Pope also invites all people to pray “that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.”

It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month.

The full text of his intention is below:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/papal-retreat-concludes-with-reflection-on-presence-of-god.html

Papal retreat concludes with reflection on presence of God
06 March 2020, 15:11

The Spiritual Exercises for Pope Francis and the Roman Curia, which take place each year at the beginning of Lent, concluded with reflections on “intercession” and “the presence of God”.
By Vatican News

The final reflections for this year’s Spiritual Exercises focused on the need for pastors to be intercessors for sinners, and to recognize the presence of God in their vocations.

Day 5 afternoon: The most spiritual ministry

On Thursday afternoon, Jesuit Father Pietro Bovati, who guided the retreat, spoke on the theme of intercession, of helping to reconcile those who need forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This service of mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is “the most spiritual ministry”, he said, because it reaches people in their inmost being.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-cold-vatican-studies-coronavirus-measures.html

Coronavirus: Vatican suspends health services
06 March 2020, 10:32

As the Holy See considers measures to stem the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Vatican has closed its healthcare services after a patient tested positive for the disease.
By Vatican News

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told reporters on Friday morning that the Vatican’s healthcare services have been temporarily shuttered to disinfect facilities used for outpatient services. The Emergency department remains open.

He said the measures were taken after a patient tested positive with the Covid-19 coronavirus on Thursday.

“The Directorate of Health and Hygiene is informing the competent Italian authorities and, in the meantime, the planned health protocols have been initiated,” he added.
Pope on the mend

Earlier, on Thursday evening, Mr. Bruni briefed the media on Pope Francis’ health, as he continues to recover from a common cold.

“The cold with which the Holy Father was diagnosed is running its due course. He continues to celebrate Holy Mass daily and follow the Spiritual Exercises, as we have reported in recent days.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/holy-see-creates-centralized-personnel-office.html

Holy See: creation of centralized Personnel Office
06 March 2020, 12:31

Pope Francis establishes a new “General Directorate for Personnel” in the Vatican in order to facilitate more effective management of employees of the Holy See.
By Vatican News

In response to the proposal advanced by the Council of Cardinals and the Council for the Economy, His Holiness Francis has arranged for the institution of the “General Directorate of Personnel” at the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

The “General Directorate of Personnel” will take on the tasks of the current Personnel Office of the Secretariat of State, and its competence will extend not only to the Dicasteries and entities of the Holy See itself, but also the Institutes (for example, the Institute for the Works of Religion), Factories, Chapters, Administrations, Organs, Foundations, Domus and other entities dependent on the Holy See or in some way connected to it, in derogation of the respective Regulations.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/number-of-women-employees-in-the-vatican-on-the-rise.html
Number of women employees in the Vatican on the rise
06 March 2020, 11:47

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-03/pope-francis-accepts-resignation-cardinal-barbarin-france.html

Pope accepts resignation of French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin
06 March 2020, 16:55

Cardinal Barbarin’s resignation as Archbishop of Lyon follows his acquittal after being accused of covering up sexual abuse cases by a priest.
By Benedict Mayaki

Pope Francis on Friday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin as the Archbishop of Lyon, France.

Cardinal Barbarin had first submitted his resignation to Pope Francis on 18 March 2019 but the Pope did not accept it then pending the end of his court case. The Pope preferred to allow him to “make the best decision for the diocese.”

On 30 January, Cardinal Barbarin was acquitted of a suspended six-month sentence by a French court in March 2019. He was originally convicted of failing to report cases of sexual abuse of minors by a priest in his diocese to legal authorities.

In the interim, Monsignor Michel Dubost has been named the Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese of Lyon.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-theme-world-day-migrants-refugees-2020.html

“Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” – theme of World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020
06 March 2020, 12:27

Pope Francis releases the theme for the 2020 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which focuses on the need for the pastoral care of internally displaced persons.
By Vatican News

The Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees this year is focussing on the pastoral care of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who currently number over 41 million worldwide.

“Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” is the theme that Pope Francis chose for the 106th edition of the day this year, which will be marked on Sunday, 27 September,  according to a statement released on Friday by the Holy See Press Office.

“As the title makes clear, the reflection begins with the experience of the young Jesus and his family as displaced persons and refugees,” the Press Office said. “This provides a Christological grounding for the Christian action of welcome or hospitality.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/vatican-dicastery-laity-family-life-message-coronavirus-covid19.html

Vatican expresses closeness to those affected by coronavirus
07 March 2020, 10:41

In a message, the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life is inviting all to face the emergency with seriousness, serenity and courage.
By Robin Gomes

“A person’s life has great value in the eyes of God. If in certain circumstances, something attacks the health and life itself of many persons, and perhaps even our own, we must not feel alone in the face of this enemy.”

This is the assurance that the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life evokes in a message regarding the Covid-19 emergency, better known as coronavirus. 
Solidarity and gratitude

“As the Dicastery entrusted by the Holy Father with the pastoral care of the laity, the family and life, we wish to manifest - at this difficult time - to those who have been affected by coronavirus or feel threatened by this viral infection, our closeness, our affection and our prayer for them," says the message.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-angelus-general-audience-to-be-streamed.html

Pope Francis’ Angelus, General Audience to be streamed
07 March 2020, 14:52

The Press Office of the Holy See announces changes with regard to the Pope’s activities in coming days. The new provisions have been undertaken as precautionary measures in view of ongoing concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19).
By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office issued a statement on Saturday afternoon, announcing that “With regard to the events of the coming days, the prayer of the Angelus of the Holy Father on Sunday 8 March will take place from the Library of the Apostolic Palace and not in the Square, from the window. The prayer will be streamed live by Vatican News and on screens in St. Peter's Square, and distributed by Vatican Media to the media who request it, so as to allow the participation of the faithful. The General Audience on Wednesday, March 11 will be held in the same manner”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/synod-of-bishops-to-take-up-theme-of-synodality-in-2022.html

Synod of Bishops to take up theme of synodality in 2022
07 March 2020, 12:06

Pope Francis has chosen “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission” as the theme for the next Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
By Christopher Wells

In a formal declaration released on Saturday morning, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, announced that Pope Francis will convene the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2022, with the theme, “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”.

Synodality: the path of the Church in the third millennium

The topic of synodality has been an important feature in Pope Francis’ pontificate. In October 2015, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Synod of Bishops by St Paul VI, Pope Francis said, “From the beginning of my ministry as Bishop of Rome, I sought to enhance the Synod, which is one of the most precious legacies of the Second Vatican Council… it is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church in the third millennium”.

More recently, speaking to the International Theological Commission in 2018, the Holy Father said the theme of synodality “is very close to my heart: synodality is a style, it is walking together, and it is what the Lord expects of the Church in the third millennium”.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-announces-a-2022-synod-on-synodality-21476
Pope Francis announces a 2022 synod on synodality

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/new-president-of-german-bishops-says-he-is-following-the-big-footsteps-of-cardinal-marx-73180

New president of German bishops says he is following the 'big footsteps' of Cardinal Marx

Mainz, Germany, Mar 7, 2020 / 06:00 am (CNA).- The new president of the German bishops’ conference has emphasized his support for the ongoing synodal process of German bishops and laity, and for a paper supporting intercommunion with Lutherans.

Speaking at the closing of the plenary assembly of the German bishops in Mainz on Thursday, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg also affirmed he is following in "the big footsteps" of Cardinal Reinhard Marx in continuing along the "synodal path" currently underway in Germany.

Bätzing described as having gotten off to a "good start", despite strong criticism about the first synodal assembly in January from a number of attending bishops.

Bishop Bätzing also claimed Pope Francis supported the controversial process, stating the "synodal way" was "in line" with  and exactly what the Holy Father wanted.

Pope Francis has issued a cautionary personal letter to all German Catholics on the matter, and the Vatican has repeatedly intervened, raising a number of concerns about the process.
 

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Hmmm...

https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2020/03/coronavirus-aside-sooner-or-later-the-vaticans-epic-hr-flip-flop-will-be-noticed/

Coronavirus aside, sooner or later the Vatican’s epic HR flip-flop will be noticed
John L. Allen Jr.  Mar 8, 2020
News Analysis
 
Perhaps even more telling, the Vatican just committed one of the most flabbergasting PR gaffes in recent memory - which, by the way, is saying a fair bit - yet due to the coronoavirus, so far it’s been virtually ignored.

Here’s what happened.

In its Friday daily news bulletin, the Vatican hailed the creation of a new “General Directorate for Personnel” within the general affairs section of the Secretariat of State, responsible for internal ecclesiastical governance, describing the new office as “a step of great importance in the path of reform initiated by Pope Francis.”

“This new directorate will be presided over by a director, who will have strategic, inspective and operative power, with functions of coordination, oversight and vigilance; the office, moreover, also will be equipped to be able to respond, in a timely fashion, to the various requests it will be called to carry out,” the statement said.

Yet the very next day - 25 and a half hours later, to be precise - the Vatican announced in a separate statement that, whoops, there actually is no new directorate after all.

“To be precise, at the actual state of things it’s a proposal advanced to the Holy Father by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, President of the Council for the Economy, and Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, President of the Council of Cardinals, to institute such a structure,” the statement said.

“The Holy Father will study the proposal, and, if he thinks it’s opportune, at the right time he’ll institute the structure in the way he decides with a Motu Proprio,” it said.