AC Wimmer

AC Wimmer

AC Wimmer (刘威猛) is the News Editor for Europe and Asia at EWTN News. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, served as editor-in-chief of several news media outlets. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, the veteran journalist is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at his alma mater and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.

Articles by AC Wimmer

Despite ‘no’ from Vatican, German bishops move forward with plans for Synodal Council

Mar 1, 2023 / 14:45 pm

A letter by the president of the German Bishops’ Conference published Wednesday confirms that plans for a German synodal council are progressing. 

Four women opt out of German Synodal Way, saying it ‘departs from the universal Church’

Feb 22, 2023 / 08:30 am

Ahead of the German Synodal Way’s final meeting next month, four prominent participants officially announced Wednesday they were quitting the process.

Watchdog raises concerns after arson attacks on German, French churches

Feb 21, 2023 / 07:48 am

Following an arson attack on a historic church in Germany, a European watchdog has raised concerns over hate crimes targeting Christian churches.

‘We need time,’ Synod on Synodality organizers tell German-language media

Feb 14, 2023 / 07:40 am

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg and Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech made their remarks in the wake of the recent European Continental Assembly in Prague.

‘All glory to God’: Chiefs’ Butker makes game-winning kick in the Super Bowl while wearing scapular

Feb 13, 2023 / 11:07 am

The 27-year-old kicker is outspoken about his Catholic faith, and many on social media were quick to point out that he was wearing a brown scapular.

Pope Francis, Syriac Patriarch call for prayers after devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Feb 6, 2023 / 09:23 am

The series of earthquakes — up to 7.8 magnitude — killed an estimated 1,700 people and injured thousands more, with many people still trapped under the rubble Monday.

German bishops’ president rebukes Pope Francis for criticism of Synodal Way 

Jan 30, 2023 / 11:45 am

Bishop Georg Bätzing says the Germans have “fundamentally different views of synodality” than Rome. 

Letter from Benedict XVI reveals the ‘central motive’ for his resignation, biographer says

Jan 29, 2023 / 07:15 am

Benedict XVI said he had suffered from chronic insomnia since the early days of his pontificate, according to a letter he wrote to his biographer.

Pope Francis decries German Synodal Way as ‘neither helpful nor serious’

Jan 25, 2023 / 15:41 pm

In an interview published Wednesday, Pope Francis decried the German Synodal Way as elitist and running the risk of bringing ideological harm to Church processes.

Pope Francis: ‘I had nothing to do’ with Father Marko Rupnik case

Jan 25, 2023 / 11:16 am

For the first time, Pope Francis has commented publicly about the scandal surrounding Jesuit artist Father Marko Rupnik.

‘I lost a dad’: Pope Francis speaks about losing Benedict XVI

Jan 25, 2023 / 08:50 am

In an interview with the AP, Pope Francis spoke about his relationship with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

German bishop dismisses Vatican concerns over a permanent synodal council

Jan 23, 2023 / 15:45 pm

On Monday, Bishop Georg Bätzing said he welcomed a new letter from the Vatican detailing concerns about the push for a permanent synodal council.

Meet the ‘Benedict Bears’: Cuddly companions commemorate the late pope emeritus

Jan 20, 2023 / 09:15 am

A traditional toy manufacturer in the Bavarian town of Coburg has produced two limited editions of its iconic teddy bears in honor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

In new book, the late Benedict XVI defends Christianity against claims of intolerance

Jan 19, 2023 / 08:40 am

In the book, the late pontiff warns of a “radical manipulation of human beings” and “the distortion of the sexes by gender ideology” in the name of tolerance.

Cardinal Schönborn calls Gänswein book ‘unseemly indiscretion,’ confirms key detail of Benedict papacy

Jan 18, 2023 / 08:00 am

Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn on Wednesday confirmed he was the person who encouraged Joseph Ratzinger to accept the conclave’s decision.

Church in Australia reacts with ‘shock,’ sadness at news of Cardinal Pell’s death

Jan 10, 2023 / 18:17 pm

Cardinal George Pell, prefect emeritus of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, died Tuesday in Rome at the age of 81 from cardiac arrest.

Australian Cardinal George Pell dies at 81

Jan 10, 2023 / 16:15 pm

The Australian prelate suffered a cardiac arrest and died at 8:50 p.m. Rome time, his secretary confirmed to EWTN. 

Bells to ring for Benedict XVI in all Catholic churches in Germany

Jan 3, 2023 / 09:30 am

The bells of all Catholic churches of the 27 dioceses of Germany are expected to toll at 11 a.m. (local time) on Jan 5. to pay respect for the late pontiff.

Benedict XVI dead at 95: The ‘humble worker’ and his legacy of hope to the Catholic Church

Dec 31, 2022 / 02:59 am

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, bringing to a close the momentous life of a Churchman who proclaimed the “eternal joy” of Jesus Christ and called himself a “humble worker” in the vineyard of the Lord.

BREAKING: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies at age 95

Dec 31, 2022 / 02:44 am

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in nearly 600 years, has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced.