In a talk given on Wednesday, April 18 in the Arch-Abbey of Saint Peter in Salzburg, Austria, Cardinal Kasper noted that it would be good to relive the tradition of the early Church of the Provincial and Plenary Councils, to respond to the different cultures in each region. Cardinals could function as Presidents of Plenary Councils  in the region.

During his talk, entitled “Cardinals at the Service of the Church and the Papacy,” Cardinal Kasper said: “In modern times, Cardinals have become increasingly functionaries of the Curia, parallelly to the Prince-Bishops that still exist. And, he added, the opportunity given would be to “return to the origins of the College of Cardinals: evangelization and Eucharistic Celebration in communion with the Bishop of Rome.”

According to Cardinal Kasper, the Cardinals’ jurisdiction has always changed, but connected in the Liturgy with the Pope as sign of the Church’s unity. In other times, they have served as politicians, moving in the game of powerful Roman families. At the end of the Middle Ages, the Cardinals were increasingly dragged into decadence, and Rome’s decadence.”

In the symposium, whose theme was “The Benedictines as Cardinals,” he showed that the Cardinals’ leadership in the regions, for example, would establish something similar to the bicameral system of a Synod of Bishops and a Council of Cardinals.

He also pointed out that, at present, Cardinals are functionaries of the Curia and their function of ecclesiastical leadership was relegated until Pope John XXIII and Vatican Council II reinvigorated it..

Some of the Cardinal’s proposals already exist, as it’s common for Cardinals to head the Episcopal Conferences in countries and, to occupy the direction of Dicasteries in Rome, confers on them a decisive role in the vitality of the Church. Perhaps Kasper’s proposals intend to give Cardinals more evangelizing impulse above their bureaucratic role.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Cardinal Walter Kasper Formulates Proposal That Rethink the Role of Cardinals in the Catholic Church appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Regina da Costa Pedro, from the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception, shared the stories and concrete thoughts of some Brazilian women, while Professor Stella Morra, who teaches at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Gregorian University, examined the role of cultures in recognizing the role of women in different parts of the world.

The day on the 16th began with a report from Cardinal Mario Grech and Monsignor Piero Coda on the ongoing Synod and concluded, after a reflection on the implementation of the apostolic constitution “Praedicate evangelium” in diocesan Curias, with reports from each cardinal on the social, political, and ecclesial situation in their respective regions.

During the session, there were references – and prayers on several occasions – dedicated to the scenarios of war and conflict experienced in many parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. The cardinals – and with them the Pope – expressed their concern about what is happening and the hope that efforts to identify negotiation and peace avenues will be redoubled.

The next meeting of the Council will be held in June 2024.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Topics discussed by the Pope with his council of cardinals: role of women, synodality in dioceses and local church situation appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin was in Brazil to lead the retreat for the Brazilian episcopate on April 10 and 11, within the context of the 61st General Assembly of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), taking place at the Pedro Vítor Coelho de Almeida Events Center, in the National Shrine, in Aparecida (SP), until April 19.

After meeting with the Head of State of the country, Cardinal Parolin visited the headquarters of the CNBB in Brasília, where he toured the workspaces and was received by the conference’s collaborators.

Subsequently, Cardinal Parolin presided over the opening of the Plenary Assembly of the Brazilian Episcopate.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope’s Secretary of State visits Brazilian President and presides over opening of Brazilian Episcopate Assembly appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Born on January 4, 1954 in Casarano (Lecce), De Donatis received his spiritual formation first in the Seminary of Taranto  and then in the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary. He completed his Philosophy studies at the Pontifical Lateran University and his Theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he obtained a Licentiate in Moral Theology. He was ordained a priest on April 12, 1980, for the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli and incardinated in the Diocese of Rome on November 28, 1983.

He held numerous posts during his ministry in the Diocese of Rome, among them Spiritual Director of the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary from 1990 to 2003 and parish priest of Saint Mark the Evangelist on the Capitoline Hill from 2003 to 2015. He was appointed Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem in 1989. On April 10, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed him Chaplain of His Holiness. Since December 1, 2007, he has been Spiritual Assistant  of the Don Andrea Santoro Association. From 2014 to 2017 he was in charge of the Service for the Permanent Formation of the Clergy. He was a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council and of the College of Consultants. In 2014 Pope Francis called him to preach the Spiritual Exercises to the Roman Curia on the occasion of Lent. On September 14, 2015, Pope Francis appointed him Titular Bishop of Mottola and Auxiliary of Rome, in charge of the Permanent Formation of the Clergy. Then on May 26, 2017, Pope Francis appointed him Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University, elevating him at the same time to the dignity of Archbishop. On June 28, 2018, during the Consistory, the Holy Father created him Cardinal, with the presbyteral title of Saint Mark. De Donatis is a member of the Congregation for the Clergy and of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life  and Societies of Apostolic Life. Now he is substituting Cardinal Mauro Piacenza who has reached the age of 80.

Monsignor Libanori is a Jesuit, up to now Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rome for the Central Sector. Born in Ostellato, province of Ferrara, on May 27, 1953, he completed his priestly formation in the Archbishopric Seminary of Ferrara. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1977 for the Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio. He entered the Society of Jesus on December 26, 1991 and made his solemn vows as a Jesuit on October 18, 2002. He obtained a Licentiate in Theology of Evangelization in the Bologna Theological Study and a Doctorate in Theology of Christian Life in Naples in the Saint Louis Section of the Theology Faculty of Southern Italy.

Appointed Auxiliary of the Diocese of Rome on November 23, 2017, he was ordained Bishop on January 13, 2018. Among the posts he held previously, he was Rector of the Archbishopric’s Seminary of Ferrara – Comacchio from 1982 to 1991. From 2003 to 2008 he was Vice-Rector of La Sapienza’s Rectoral Church. From 2003 to 2008 he was Vice-Rector of the Holy Name of Jesus church in Argentina, of which he was later Rector from 2008 to 2016. From 2004 to 2018 he was an exorcist in the Pastoral Exorcism Service and from 2017 to 2018 Extraordinary Commissioner of the Arch-Confraternity of Saint Joseph of the Carpenters. In 2017 he was also Regent of the National Secretariat of the Apostleship of Prayer and member of the Service for the Permanent Formation of the Clergy. He is a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Sains and was also one of the Bishops in charge of the Rupnik case, with several criticism over the handling of the case.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope’s Diocese Is Bereft of Its Vicar: Cardinal De Donatis Becomes The New Major Penitentiary appeared first on ZENIT - English.

On the Tucker Carlson “Uncensored” program, titled “The West is Falling. Cardinal Müller Has a Solution,” Müller addressed various topics, including the de-Christianization of Europe and the United States and the importance of keeping Christian values alive in contemporary society.

Cardinal Müller highlighted the contrast between the growth of Christianity in Africa and the de-Christianization observed in Europe and the United States. He pointed out that in these latter places, political and ideological elites have adopted a vision of humanity that is disconnected from its spiritual and transcendent dimension.

He emphasized the importance of the Christian faith in people’s lives, noting that Christians believe in their vocation to be children of God and in the hope of eternal life. Additionally, he stressed the need to promote a culture of life and defend the dignity of all people, especially the unborn and the elderly.

Cardinal Müller expressed concern about the influence of political ideologies on the Church, stating that the Pope and the ecclesiastical hierarchy must stand firm in defense of Gospel values and not allow the political agenda to dictate their actions.

In response to a question about the future of the West, Cardinal Müller emphasized that Christianity is fundamental to Western identity and culture. Without Christianity, he asserted, the West would lack a solid spiritual and cultural foundation.

The interview provided insightful perspective on the importance of Christianity in the contemporary world and the need to preserve and promote its values in today’s society.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post For the first time a Cardinal (Muller) on one of the most watched programs in the world: the Tucker Carlson vlog appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The sentence orders the Community of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit to pay the sum of 33,622 euros to Sister Marie Ferréol, also known as Sabine Baudin de la Valette, as compensation for duty of assistance.

In addition, the Religious Community was sentenced to pay 182,400 euros for material damages and 10,000 euros for moral damage to the dismissed nun, in solidarity with Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet and the Apostolic Visitors of the Vatican, Jean-Charles Nault and Maylis Desjobert.

Sister Marie Ferréol, 57, was dismissed in October of 2020, after living for 34 years in the Community, following the visit of Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet. This event, described as an “exclaustration,” took place for no reason and in the middle of the night, leaving the nun in a helpless situation since then.

During the trial, held on October 4, 2023, serious accusations against the nun were made evident, such as manipulation of individuals, destructive and critical comments, attacks on truth and a fighting spirit, according to the President of the Civil Chamber, Armelle Picard.

The absence of access to the Vatican’s indictment file during the judicial process surprised the magistrates. The lawyer of the Apostolic Visitors, Bertrand Ollivier, argued that there was no right of access to such a file in canonical matter.

The nun had lived without incidents in the Community since 1987, but things changed beginning in 2011, when she reported serious abuses and facts. Well-known lawyer, Adeline Le Gouvello, representing the nun, pointed out that the conviction for material and moral damages is a first step towards the admission of injustice and the nun’s moral rehabilitation.

On the other hand, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who was the Vatican’s Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops at the time of the dismissal, resigned from his office in January due to “age limit.” However, the Cardinal is facing a trial in Quebec for other reasons.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Women’s Congregation Are Convicted in France for “Unjustified Dismissal” of a Nun appeared first on ZENIT - English.

(ZENIT News – FIDES / Kinshasa, 04.04.2024).-  Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa, in addition to leading the diocese of the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), also holds important positions for the universal Church, for Africa, for his Country: He is at the head of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), and is a Member (with a role renewed a year ago by the Pontiff) of the Council of Cardinals (C9).

Furthermore, he has repeatedly carried out leading roles in the political affairs in Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Catholic Church provides thousands of observers in political elections and works to facilitate and promote dialogue between the country’s political and social forces.

The Cardinal himself co-chaired the national dialogue that led the DRC to new elections at the end of 2018, thanks to the signing of the New Year’s Eve Agreements. Recently, Cardinal Ambongo held a Conference on “Mission and Interreligious dialogue in Africa” at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome.

Roots and economic effects of Neo-Colonialism

In his speeches, the Cardinal Archbishop of Kinshasa often refers to the modus operandi of influential Western sectors and apparatuses towards the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations. And a clear example of operations carried out in continuity with a colonialist mentality is represented by the recent agreement signed by the European Union with Rwanda for the exploitation of natural resources. “As is well known,” explains Cardinal Ambongo to Fides, “a few weeks ago an agreement was signed between the EU and Rwanda for the exploitation of mineral and other resources that, in reality, are not in Rwanda but in Congo. This is intolerable and creates much confusion in a region, that of the Great Lakes, which is already experiencing great tensions. Throughout the area, in fact, there is a war, even if undeclared, a cold war between Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. A war where the only battlefield is Congo, and the first victim of this situation is our people. In the end, various reasons can be invoked, but it all comes down to one: the exploitation of natural resources”.

Congo is among the most resource-rich countries on the planet. These are goods that have proven to be absolutely essential to the world every stage of history: rubber at the beginning of the last century, then gold, diamonds, oil and now coltan and cobalt. Precious goods, concentrated in one of the world’s poorest countries.

“We are suffering from severe poverty,” Cardinal Ambongo points out, “and this despite the fact that Congo is a country with enormous potential. According to the Cardinal, the country is paying the price for a series of very negative factors, starting with the “unwillingness of those in power to exploit these riches for the good of all, not just for the benefit of small circles”. The Cardinal also calls into question “the hunger for expansion and the unscrupulous greed of those who manage these men, namely Europe, North America, India, China. Congo is the plate where everyone comes to eat, except our people”. In addition to poverty, the Archbishop of Kinshasa also refers to the conditions of insecurity that affect above all the eastern areas of the country, where “a very important slice of Congo (the regions of North and South Kivu and Ituri, ed.) is no longer controlled by Kinshasa, but is substantially under the power of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda (an increasingly large area of Kivu is now under the control of the pro-Rwandan group M23, ed.) All this is also unacceptable because it is happening with the blessing of the international community”.

‘Hands off Africa’

Just over a year has passed since Pope Francis’ visit to Congo and South Sudan. “Hands off Africa!” The Pope said in his famous speech in Kinshasa. Words that contributed to triggering a new reflection both within the Church and in the world of international politics. “After the Pope’s visit to Congo and after his speech”, Cardinal Ambongo points out, “no one can say, ‘I didn’t know’ or pretend otherwise. The Pope started from Congo, a symbol of exploitation, to broaden the discussion to an entire continent and has awakened consciences. Only a year has passed and the practical changes called for by the Pope in terms of exploitation are still not visible. Although at the level of consciences, in my opinion, much has changed”.

‘More questions than answers’ on the tragic story of Ambassador Attanasio

On 22 February, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the assassination of Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, his escort carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and driver Mustapha Milambo, Cardinal Ambongo celebrated a suffrage mass in Kinshasa Cathedral. Archbishopovo Ambongo knew Attanasio well and had a very good relationship with him. His death, and the history of the trials that have left more doubts than certainties, remain as an open wound.

“The story of Luca Attanasio is a personal suffering for me. Luca was not only the Italian Ambassador to Kinshasa but he was a friend who often came to visit me. He went everywhere and was very friendly with the population and did so much for the poor in terms of charity. A person like Luca did not deserve what happened to him, it is still a terrible shock to me. Unfortunately, so far we don’t know what happened, but I’m sure the Italian government knows.” In April 2023, the trial held by the military court in Kinshasa against the alleged organizers and perpetrators of the ambush ended with the death sentence later commuted, through the intervention of Attanasio’s family and the Italian state, to life imprisonment. “It is an incredible story, there are many more questions than answers,” comments Cardinal Ambongo, “but one thing I can say with certainty: the five arrested and convicted are just scapegoats, we all know that we needed someone to blame in order to close the case quickly, but they had nothing to do with it”.

Reactions to ‘Fiducia supplicans’

The publication of the Fiducia Supplicans document has created much debate in Africa, and quite a few reactions. Cardinal Ambongo, as President of SECAM, wanted to open a consultation within the Churches of Africa, listened to the Bishops’ Conferences and then met directly with the Pope.

“The problem,” reported Cardinal Ambongo, “was that the reactions to Fiducia Supplicans were chaotic. There were bishops and priests who wrote to the Pope, others who strongly criticized. I, in my role as President of SECAM, could not let things continue like this, that there were reactions without a criterion. That is why I asked the Bishops’ Conferences, not individuals, to send me their reactions. So we made a summary of all these reactions and I went to see the Pope and talked at length. For me there were two things to ensure: we needed to reassure the African faithful who felt really hurt by this document, and also to safeguard communion with the Holy Father. Thus, from our conversation came a statement that was made public, with a text entitled ‘No blessing for same-sex couples in African Churches’. Then things calmed down. Pope Francis found a solution. And I am very grateful to the Pope who showed great openness, pastoral sense and listened to the voice of the Church in Africa”.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Cardinal Ambongo: statements on the new colonialisms and Fiducia Supplicans appeared first on ZENIT - English.

This Mass, scheduled for April 7th, 2024, at 10 a.m., is part of a visit to the Diocese of Obala from April 2nd to 12th, at the invitation of Bishop Sosthène Bayemi, the local Ordinary.

The Incarnation Movement is a public association of the faithful, whose spirituality consists of living the Word of God. In 2007, it launched a project to build a place for its members to gather for prayer and spiritual recollection, which can accommodate 2000 participants for spiritual retreats.

A third of the way through this project, the Word of God Retreat Center, will welcome His Eminence for Sunday Mass.

This celebration marks a unique and eagerly awaited event for the large community of the faithful. For the members of the Movement, and their founder in particular, it is with great fervor and joy that the event is being prepared.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Cameroon: eucharistic celebration by cardinal Robert Sarah announced at the Word of God Retreat Center appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The emeritus bishop of Bruges had resigned from his position in April 2010 after facing accusations of sexual abuse of minors, publicly admitting to having perpetrated acts of abuse against one of his nephews. However, due to the statute of limitations, legal action could not be taken against him until now.

However, new elements emerged in recent months leading to a thorough review of the case by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. These “new serious elements,” communicated to the mentioned congregation, prompted a reassessment of the case and the submission of documentation to the Holy Father.

On March 8, 2024, after carefully examining the prelate’s defense, the Doctrine of the Faith proposed to Pope Francis the dismissal from the clerical state in accordance with the regulations established in Pope John Paul II’s motu proprio on the “most serious crimes.” In an audience granted to Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on March 11, Pope Francis accepted the request and ordered the imposition of the proposed penalty.

The measure was notified to the interested party on March 20, who requested to reside in a place of retreat without contact with the outside world, dedicated to prayer and penance. In this context, Pope Francis has reaffirmed his commitment to the victims of abuse and his determination to eradicate this scourge from the Church.

The case of the emeritus bishop of Bruges comes just a few months before the Pope’s visit to the country.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope Francis removes Belgian bishop convicted of abuse from the clerical state appeared first on ZENIT - English.

On the occasion of presenting the Officer insignia of the Legion of Honor to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Ambassador Mangin reviewed the honoree’s journey, marked by his concern for the poorest and his multiple actions to assist vulnerable children in Manila. She also highlighted his work on social projects and his closeness to victims of violence, drug addiction, and natural disasters. Tagle is currently the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Evangelization.

Ambassador Mangin praised the cardinal, stating: “It is this commitment to the most vulnerable, these qualities of soul and heart, that the French Republic wishes to recognize by elevating him to the rank of Officer of the Legion of Honor.”

The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries and special guests, including the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Myla Grace Macahilig, and Father Gregory Ramon Gaston, rector of the Pontifical Filipino College.

The Legion of Honor of France, founded by Napoleon in 1802, is a distinction awarded to individuals from various fields for their significant contributions to society.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post France awards Cardinal Tagle its highest distinction: the Legion of Honor appeared first on ZENIT - English.