Pope Benedict deplores the manner in which the Catholic Church in China is being treated by Chinese officials. [singlepic id=50 w=320 float=right]That from a Vatican statement regarding last Thursday’s illicit Episcopal ordination of Fr. Joseph Huang Bingzhang (we first wrote about the ordination last week). The ordination was conducted through the government-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic ...read more

The Vatican has established diplomatic ties with a predominantly Muslim nation, and the Pope appeals for humanitarian aid to Somalia. Catholic News Service Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis reports. ...read more

After being in the red for the last few years, Vatican finances are back in the black — but a decrease in donations by the faithful means a mixed financial picture for the Vatican. Catholic News Service Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis and Rome correspondent Cindy Wooden report investments and tourism can play a role ...read more

He took the art scene by storm and it’s never quite been the same since. Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s art, like his character, resists comparison. Last month, I had the opportunity to witness twelve pieces Caravaggio left behind. From June 17th to September 11th, the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa is hosting 58 works ...read more

China has a new Bishop. [singlepic id=45 w=320 float=right]But it’s not cause for celebration in Rome. The ordination is unapproved by the Holy See. And Vatican Press Office director Fr. Federico Lombardi says if there is no Papal mandate, then the ordination is contrary “to the unity of the Universal Church” and a cause for ...read more

Yesterday, the Holy See released the news of three new episcopal appointments for the Church in Québec. Bishop André Gazaille has been named bishop of Nicolet, Québec. The population of Nicolet is nearly 210 000, over 95% of whom are Roman Catholic. Bishop Gazaille was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal in 1971. ...read more

I’ve been telling you about a conversation I had with a friend. The “ProLife” conversation is probably one of the most important ones that we should be able to have. But, most of us do not have the facts or the confidence to do so. So, here’s part 4 of that conversation. But first, you ...read more

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to attend a media screening of the Andrew Rossi documentary, Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times. We often receive passes to screenings for films, and usually only a small percentage share a common interest or “Catholic” angle to reflect on. Page One, though having no Catholic ...read more

Taking a look at the Vatican’s not-so-Secret Archives, bracing for reaction from China, and sixty artists for sixty years of ordination. Catholic News Service Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis covers all this in today’s Vatican report. ...read more

An act that sows division and produces rifts and tensions. [singlepic id=39 w=320 float=right]That’s how a statement from the Holy See describes last Wednesday’s Episcopal ordination in the Diocese of Leshan, China. There was no Papal mandate for the ordination of Fr. Paul Lei Shiyin, and hence the Holy See does not recognize him as ...read more