Latest Roman Catholicism News
Pope names 21 new cardinals, significantly increasing the pool who will one day elect his successor
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals Sunday, significantly increasing the size of the College of Cardinals and further cementing his mark on the group of prelates who will one day elect his successor. They include a man who will be the oldest cardinal — Monsignor...
This German church is the tallest in the world. Until Spain's La Sagrada Familia is done, anyway
ULM, Germany (AP) — The Ulmer Münster in southern Germany is the world's tallest church. For now, anyway. The Gothic-style Lutheran church's reign — begun in May 31, 1890 — could end in 2025, when La Sagrada Familia Basilica's “Tower of Jesus Christ” in Spain is set to be...
Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for women
ROME (AP) — Debate was leaning away from allowing women to take on ordained roles in the Catholic Church as the second phase of Pope Francis’ reform project opened Wednesday with an agenda topped by calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility Francis presided...
Facing more clergy abuse lawsuits, Vermont's Catholic Church files for bankruptcy
Vermont’s Catholic church has filed for bankruptcy protection as it faces more than 30 lawsuits alleging child sex abuse by clergy decades ago, according to a filing in federal bankruptcy court. Since 2006, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, the state's only diocese, has...
Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victims
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis wrapped up a troubled visit to Belgium on Sunday by doubling down on his traditional views on women and abortion and demanding that Catholic bishops stop covering up for predator priests — a scandal that has devastated the church’s credibility around...
Belgian Catholic university denounces visiting pope's views on women after he digs in on their role
BRUSSELS (AP) — Pope Francis’ burdensome trip through Belgium reached new lows on Saturday when defiant Catholic university women demanded to his face a “paradigm change” on women’s issues in the church and then expressed deep disappointment when Francis dug in. The...
Pope gets an earful from Belgian king and abuse victims over scandals and failures to respond
BRUSSELS (AP) — On a brutal day for the frail and aging Pope Francis, the king of Belgium, its prime minister and the rector of the Catholic university that invited him here all ripped into the institution he heads for a spectrum of sins: for covering up cases of clergy sex abuse and being far...
Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious art
BRUSSELS (AP) — Little brings more heavenly bliss to the faithful or otherworldly wonder to casual visitors than ethereal hymns cascading amid the columns of Catholic cathedrals. That is, unless the composer is a known molester or someone accused of sexual abuse. A few days before...
Pope travels to the heart of Europe to appeal for peace and to boost his dwindling flock
LUXEMBOURG (AP) — Pope Francis called for Europe to be a beacon of peace in war and a welcome home for migrants and refugees as he arrived in the heart of the continent on Thursday to encourage the dwindling Catholic flock in a onetime bastion of Christianity. Francis received a...
Belgium's appalling abuse legacy clouds pope's trip as survivors pen letter seeking reparations
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Fresh off a four-nation tour of Asia, where he saw record-setting crowds and vibrant church communities, Pope Francis travels to Belgium this week as the once-staunchly Catholic country again confronts its appalling legacy of clergy sex abuse and institutional cover-up. ...
