Vatican News

Vatican cardinal invites German bishops to discuss parish instruction

Vatican City, Jul 30, 2020 / 05:45 am (CNA).- A Vatican cardinal has invited German bishops to Rome to discuss their criticisms of a new instruction on parishes. 

Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, said July 29 that he would be happy to receive the bishops in order to “remove doubts and perplexity,” the German Catholic news agency KNA reported.

China accused of hacking Vatican ahead of negotiations

CNA Staff, Jul 29, 2020 / 07:15 am (CNA).- State-sponsored hackers have reportedly targeted Vatican computer networks in an attempt to give China an advantage in negotiations to renew a provisional deal with the Holy See.  

A report, released July 28, said that hackers may have used a counterfeit condolence message from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, to gain access to Vatican communications. 

As monasteries close, cardinal says contemplative life will not disappear

Vatican City, Jul 28, 2020 / 10:15 am (CNA).- The cardinal leading the Vatican’s congregation on consecrated life said Monday that contemplative religious communities are needed and will not disappear, even as more than 30 monasteries closed in Spain last year.

“Contemplative life is not destined to disappear, but must reflect with transparency the ideal of evangelical life of the founders that is at its base,” Cardinal João Braz de Aviz said in an interview published Monday.

One million people helped in Ukraine by Pope Francis’ charitable project

Vatican City, Jul 28, 2020 / 05:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis’ charitable project for Ukraine, started in 2016, has helped nearly one million people in the war-torn country, according to the auxiliary bishop of Leopoli.

Bishop Eduard Kava told Vatican News July 27 that in four years the project has used around 15 million euros ($17.5 million) to help an estimated 980,000 people, including the poor, the sick, the elderly, and families.

Analysis: Where Biden's VP shortlist stands on abortion

Washington D.C., Jul 28, 2020 / 03:00 am (CNA).- As Election Day nears, one big question remains outstanding: Who will be joining Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket?

Former vice president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party’s nominee for president, committed to selecting a woman for his running mate back in March. That is about all that can be certain about who Biden plans on selecting.

Cardinal Zen: In Vatican II, Catholics hear ‘real voice of the Holy Spirit’ 

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 27, 2020 / 11:15 am (CNA).- Cardinal Joseph Zen, the emeritus Bishop of Hong Kong, has made an impassioned defense of the Second Vatican Council, criticizing both “extreme conservatives” and “extreme progressives” for rejecting the authority and authenticity of the conciliar documents.

Vatican dicastery launches ‘send a hug’ campaign for elderly isolated by pandemic

CNA Staff, Jul 27, 2020 / 09:15 am (CNA).- The Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life launched a new campaign Monday urging young people to “send a hug” to elderly people isolated by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a press statement dated July 27, the dicastery said it was inspired to launch the campaign, called “The elderly are your grandparents,” by Pope Francis’ comments after Sunday’s Angelus.

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