Articles by Ed Condon
German bishops vote to adopt statutes for Synodal Assembly
Sep 25, 2019 / 14:45 pmThe bishops of Germany have voted to adopt a set of statutes for their long-planned “Synodal Assembly.” The decision was taken in a vote on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the final day of the plenary session of the German bishops’ conference.
After Cardinal Marx visits Vatican, Germany's 'synodal way' up for bishops' vote
Sep 23, 2019 / 12:00 pmThe German bishops are set this week to vote upon statutes for a “binding synodal process,” days after Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of the German bishops’ conference, held talks about the plans with Pope Francis and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
Analysis: Cardinal Marx’s next step on the German synodal path
Sep 18, 2019 / 15:00 pmThe German bishops seem poised to press ahead with plans for a “synodal assembly,” despite criticism of the plan from Curial offices and the pope himself.
Cincinnati archbishop 'anticipating' Vatican investigation into handling of abuse case
Sep 17, 2019 / 13:37 pmArchbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati has submitted a report to Rome, following criticism of the archdiocese’s handling of allegations of sexual abuse against a local priest.
Marx says German 'synod' will proceed despite Vatican objections
Sep 16, 2019 / 10:45 amCardinal Marx has informed the Vatican that the German synodal process will continue as planned, despite recent instructions from the curia and pope, and will treat matters of universal teaching and discipline.
German bishops respond to Vatican intervention, but documents indicate ongoing disagreement
Sep 13, 2019 / 09:38 amThe German bishops’ conference has responded to the Vatican’s intervention in preparations for a binding synodal process to be held in that country beginning in Advent. The conference said Friday that detailed criticisms from the Vatican’s legal department concerned older draft documents, and did not take into account changes made to the German plans.
Vatican: German synod plans ‘not ecclesiologically valid’
Sep 12, 2019 / 12:18 pmIn a letter sent to German bishops last week, the Vatican has said that plans for a binding Church synod in Germany are “not ecclesiologically valid.”
German bishops rejected plan for Francis-style ‘Priority of Evangelization’ in synodal path
Sep 10, 2019 / 12:40 pmThe German bishops have rejected an alternative proposal for a synodal process centered on the “priority of evangelization” called for by Pope Francis.
Analysis: Who are the Central Committee of German Catholics?
Sep 6, 2019 / 07:00 amFollowing the news that the Church in Germany will proceed to form a new Synodal Assembly as part of a “binding process,” questions have been raised about the Central Committee of German Catholics, a lay group which will play a key role in the new structure.
German bishops to green light binding 'Synodal Assembly'
Sep 5, 2019 / 11:02 amThe decision to proceed comes despite a warning from Pope Francis to the German bishops that they must remain in step with the whole Church.
Study finds no 'gay gene' - What that means for Catholic morality
Aug 30, 2019 / 12:00 pmAfter a major scientific study found there is not a singular genetic marker for homosexualty, a Catholic theologian explained that the findings are fully in accord with Catholic teaching.
Cardinal Pell to appeal to Australian High Court
Aug 26, 2019 / 09:05 amCardinal George Pell will appeal his conviction to the Australian High Court, following the decision last week by the Court of Appeal in Victoria to uphold his conviction for child sexual abuse.
Analysis: Pell, and the politics of Rome
Aug 23, 2019 / 10:15 amWith no further civil progress likely, and Cardinal George Pell almost sure to remain in prison for the foreseeable future, attention now shifts to Rome, where a canonical process has been pending.
Cardinal George Pell loses appeal of sex abuse conviction
Aug 20, 2019 / 17:31 pmThe conviction of Cardinal George Pell has been upheld by the Court of Appeals in Victoria. A three-judge appellate panel upheld his 2018 conviction for sexual abuse of minors in a divided decision delivered Aug. 21.
Diocese of Scranton launches investigation into national shrine rector Rossi
Aug 14, 2019 / 15:14 pmThe Diocese of Scranton has begun an investigation into allegations of misconduct on the part of the rector of the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washingon, D.C.
As appeal verdict looms, Pell faces investigation over Twitter post
Aug 12, 2019 / 10:52 amThe incarcerated Cardinal George Pell is facing an investigation by Australian prison authorities, after images of a letter he sent to supporters were posted on social media.
Cardinal Pell: ‘Amazon or no Amazon, the Church cannot allow any confusion’
Aug 9, 2019 / 07:36 amCardinal George Pell has written a letter thanking supporters for their prayers, and saying he is “disturbed” by the preparations for the forthcoming synod on the Amazon.
Auxiliary bishop did not disclose Cincinnati priest accusations
Aug 5, 2019 / 07:30 amAn auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and member of the USCCB committee on child protection, is facing accusations that he failed to report to Cincinnati’s archbishop a series of allegations that a priest had engaged in inappropriate behavior with teenage boys.
Abuse survivor: Some 'victim advocacy' groups 'have their own agendas'
Aug 2, 2019 / 11:54 amA survivor of clerical sexual abuse told CNA he found healing in the Church. But he said some 'victim advocacy' groups seemed more focused on litigation or doctrinal issues than on helping him heal.
'Freedom to forgive' - How one man abused by a priest found healing
Aug 1, 2019 / 11:40 amAfter decades, how one victim of clerical sexual abuse found healing, through forgiveness.