February 22, 2024, 6:55 pm
1. Bishops of Rome and Germany: the conflict must be eliminated
There are many rumors in the Catholic Church in Germany that the number of people leaving the church is increasing more and more. For years, Church representatives and lay people have tried to prevent this development by opening the Catholic Church – also known as the synodal path. However, the Pope halted this process by decree the weekend before the spring general assembly of the Bishops' Conference – much to the chagrin of lay representatives in particular, who were promised more participation in the Catholic Church. At the end of today's general assembly, the president tried to calm Bishop Georg and looks for a way out. //Andreas Jölli// reports.
2. Important voices against mandatory celibacy
The Luxembourg cardinal and close advisor to the Pope Jean-Claude Hollerich spoke out in favor of the possibility of marriage for Roman Catholic priests. There are people who find it difficult to live a celibate life. If we give them a choice, we can attract more people to the priesthood, he told the Luxembourg newspaper L'Essentiel. Similar in Belgium: a discussion document from the bishops shows they want to campaign against a general ban on the ordination of women as deacons. Mandatory celibacy for priests is also discussed.
3. Ukrainian Catholic Church banned in Eastern Ukraine
This weekend marks the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. In the eastern part, 10 years have passed. The Greek-Catholic Church has now been banned in Russian-occupied territories, which not only seriously undermines pastoral care, but also deprives people of many places of protection. – Design: Anna-Lena Seeber
4. Former Australian bishop under house arrest over abuse allegations
The Emeritus Bishop of the Australian Diocese of Broome, Christopher Alan Saunders, was placed under house arrest last night. The 74-year-old is charged with 14 counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape. Saunders denies all allegations.
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