Articles by AC Wimmer
Cardinals Müller and Schönborn: Ordination of women is impossible
Jun 10, 2024 / 13:45 pmThe two German-speaking cardinals have said publicly that only men can be ordained to the priesthood.
Archbishop warns of religious freedom erosion in Australia, calls for ‘saints for our time’
Jun 10, 2024 / 06:00 amSydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher raised the alarm over Australia’s incremental erosion of religious freedom and called for committed action.
Dutch bishop: Fiducia Supplicans too much ‘in tune with zeitgeist’
Jun 7, 2024 / 16:45 pmAuxiliary Bishop Rob Mutsaerts of the Netherlands warned: “Peace at the expense of morality and truth” is a “most merciless peace imaginable.”
Vatican clears New Zealand Cardinal John Dew of abuse allegations
Jun 5, 2024 / 09:15 amThe allegation of historical sexual abuse had been raised against Dew around the time he retired as archbishop of Wellington in May 2023.
Netherlands permits euthanasia for physically healthy 29-year-old woman
Jun 4, 2024 / 09:45 amDespite being physically healthy, the woman from Oldenzaal, a town near the German border, chose to end her life due to mental health issues.
Catholic doctors, ethicists criticize Pontifical Academy for Life
May 31, 2024 / 09:47 amExperts argue that a book published by the Pontifical Academy book spreads “misleading and confusing” theological and medical information.
German president laments Church’s diminished role at ‘Catholics Day’
May 30, 2024 / 15:15 pmBoth Pope Francis and the German president addressed participants at the national Catholic event underway this week.
Benedictine Bishop Dominicus Meier replaces Bode in Osnabrück Diocese in Germany
May 30, 2024 / 13:45 pmThe Diocese of Osnabrück in northwestern Germany will be led by a Benedictine monk and bishop: Dominicus Meier will follow in the footsteps of Franz-Josef Bode.
German bishops praise constitution on 75th anniversary of post-Nazi era
May 24, 2024 / 15:34 pmGerman bishops have lauded their country’s constitution as a beacon of freedom as the nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Grundgesetz, or Basic Law.
Australian Mass attendance dropped during pandemic restrictions, but young adults show up
May 24, 2024 / 13:32 pmA new report by the Church in Australia shows a drop in Mass attendance in 2021 while also highlighting an unexpected increase in young adult participation.
German priests do not support Synodal Way, new study finds
May 21, 2024 / 12:56 pmThe study, officially titled “Who Becomes a Priest?”, found that priests are “alienated from the concerns of Church reform,” lead author Matthias Sellmann said May 17.
Cardinal Hollerich urges caution, dialogue on women’s ordination
May 20, 2024 / 14:44 pmThe cardinal said the prohibition against ordaining women was “not an infallible doctrinal decision” and could be changed over time with arguments.
Vatican overturns own decision on seminary dean
May 17, 2024 / 10:13 amThe Vatican now approved the appointment of Father Martin M. Lintner, OSM, as a new dean at a seminary in Northern Italy almost one year after first blocking it.
Slovak bishops call for peace after assassination attempt on prime minister
May 16, 2024 / 13:24 pmFollowing the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday, Slovakian bishops have called for peace and unity.
Australian archbishop faces criticism over pastoral letter on human dignity
May 14, 2024 / 15:22 pmArchbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart in Australia released the four-page document titled “We are Salt to the Earth” on May 2.
Germany now a ‘mission country,’ Bishop Bätzing says amid declining Catholic numbers
May 14, 2024 / 09:32 amThe president of the German Bishops’ Conference has called Germany — a nation whose history is entangled with the Catholic Church — a “mission country.”
Brussels archbishop apologizes amid priest election scandal
May 10, 2024 / 10:45 amArchbishop Luc Terlinden apologized to abuse survivors for the inclusion of reportedly three perpetrators of abuse on an advisory council.
Pope Benedict’s pectoral cross still missing as thief faces prison sentence
May 8, 2024 / 11:07 amAddressing the court, the defendant said he knew that he did not appear credible but promised that the cross “would come back to Traunstein.”
From Australia to the Vatican: ‘Aboriginal Mass’ seeks official recognition
May 8, 2024 / 10:22 amThe liturgy has been celebrated for over 50 years in the Diocese of Broome, where some 13,000 Catholics live in nine parishes across an area about the size of Texas.
Game, set, God: French athlete trades championship title for abbey life
Apr 30, 2024 / 11:45 amLudovic Duée, captain of the Saint-Nazaire volleyball team and recently crowned French champion, shared a deeply personal decision with local media.