MADRID — A Spanish bishop Wednesday rebuked comments made by some priests on a weekly internet program about praying for Pope Francis to die as soon as possible. The priests later apologized. Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo posted a statement on the archdiocese website saying it rejected the comments and warned that it may … Read more
MEXICO CITY — The Nicaraguan government said Sunday it released Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 clergy members from jail and handed them over to Vatican authorities. They had been jailed more than a year ago, in most cases, as part of a crackdown on the opposition and church by President Daniel Ortega, who accused them … Read more
ROME — ROME (AP) — Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down … Read more
ROME — The Vatican document explicitly saying Catholic priests can bless same-sex unions lays out the conditions for what such blessings can, and cannot, involve. The overall goal is to make it abundantly clear to the couple and those around them that the blessing is not a liturgical or sacramental ritual, and that it in … Read more
Comment on this storyCommentAdd to your saved storiesSave BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — In his 30 years as a priest, Rodolfo Viano never imagined he’d find himself here, knocking on doors to warn neighbors about a threat to democracy. But days before Argentina’s presidential elections, for at least the tenth time in recent months, he walked … Read more
Nicaragua has released 12 Roman Catholic priests jailed on a variety of charges and sent them to Italy following an agreement reached with the Vatican ByThe Associated Press October 18, 2023, 10:33 PM FILE – A poster featuring Bishop Rolando Alvarez and Pope Francis hangs inside the Cathedral in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, Aug. 19, 2022. Nicaragua … Read more