Bigoted council preying on Catholics’ basic rights (Opinion)

AS an act of petty, ignor­ant and jaun­diced right­eous­ness, Dub­lin City Coun­cil’s high-handed com­mand to an iconic city-centre church to remove its Mass times notice from its rail­ings is hard to beat.

Can’t you just ima­gine the tri­umphant glee of some pathetic little jobsworth when they (I bet it’s a ‘they’) real­ised St Andrew’s Church on West­land Row could be pen­al­ised under plan­ning laws for dis­play­ing the notice of ser­vices on the pro­tec­ted rail­ings in the same man­ner as it has done for almost 200 years?

How the vir­tue-sig­nalling wetwipes in the coun­cil must have high-fived the genius who spot­ted this latest oppor­tun­ity to take another pot­shot at the Cath­olic Church and the coun­try’s Chris­tian her­it­age.

The coveted ‘Employee of the Month’ mug, pre­vi­ously treas­ured by the bright spark who came up with the idea of the ‘Winter Lights Fest­ival’ to avoid any men­tion of the word Christ­mas, has surely landed on a new desk.

In 1829, Daniel O’Con­nell secured Cath­olic Eman­cip­a­tion, and the repeal of the Penal Laws, through the Cath­olic Relief Act. Three years later, the foun­d­acul­tur­ally tions of St Andrew’s Church were laid in the very heart of the cap­ital, to provide a place of wor­ship for the cit­izens of the inner city.

Cramped

The Lib­er­ator him­self donated the bap­tis­mal font, and a mor­tu­ary chapel was later added so the tene­ment-dwell­ers of the area no longer needed to wake their dead in their cramped homes.

Since it opened in 1837, St Andrew’s has placed a sign on its rail­ings noti­fy­ing pass­ers-by, tour­ists and vis­it­ors as well as loc­als, of the times of its ser­vices – Masses, Con­fes­sions, Sta­tions of the Cross. Over Christ­mas and Easter in par­tic­u­lar, when extra ser­vices are cel­eb­rated, it is par­tic­u­larly import­ant that up-tod­ate sched­ules are pos­ted.

And so it was at Easter time, the greatest cel­eb­ra­tion in the Chris­tian cal­en­dar, that Dub­lin City Coun­cil chose to strike with its shabby little diktat.

Along­side its tra­di­tional notice advising parish­ion­ers of Easter Mass times, last week the church was forced to dis­play a sign stat­ing: ‘We have been informed by Dub­lin City Coun­cil that notices such as this, that have been in place since the mid-nine­teenth cen­tury, are in breach of our plan­ning laws and have to be removed.’

So a ser­vice to the local com­munity, which was in place long before either Dub­lin City Coun­cil or plan­ning laws were ever heard of, has to be dis­con­tin­ued by order of Dub­lin City Coun­cil and plan­ning laws.

As ‘this leaves us with greatly reduced means to inform you’ of ser­vice times over the Easter cel­eb­ra­tions, includ­ing the fact that world-class sop­rano Celine Byrne was to per­form dur­ing the litur­gies, St Andrew’s asked parish­ion­ers to ‘assist us by shar­ing this inform­a­tion on social media’. Because I’m sure the older mem­bers of the church’s con­greg­a­tion are never off Tik­Tok these days.

As the church has been forced to con­sult law­yers, incur­ring expenses it could surely do without, and is hop­ing to find a way for­ward in con­sulta­tion with the coun­cil, par­ish admin­is­trator Fr Alan Hil­liard told our sis­ter paper, The Irish Mail on Sunday, they couldn’t really com­ment on the mat­ter for the moment.

But he did admit that it was ‘a bit of a shock’ to receive the missive telling him the prac­tice of fix­ing notices to the front rail­ings, one dat­ing back ‘a long num­ber of years’, had to cease.

Local Inde­pend­ent coun­cil­lor Man­nix Flynn, never one to mince his words any­way, was less con­strained in his response to this absurd bur­eau­cratic over­reach. This was a church with a ‘dwind­ling flock’, he said, ‘try­ing to tell people that this church is open – they’re not advert­ising half-price Vic­toria’s Secret’.

And he poin­ted out that the coun­cil’s argu­ment, that the rail­ings are pro­tec­ted struc­tures, doesn’t hold water, as other pro­tec­ted struc­tures in the area are per­mit­ted to hang notices on their equally ven­er­able and ancient rail­ings.6

‘This is where the city coun­cil gets a little bit ridicu­lous,’ he said, surely a mas­ter­ful under­state­ment. ‘If you go round to the National Gal­lery of Ire­land or Collins Bar­racks, you’ll see signs plastered all over the place and there’s no issue in rela­tion to it, because it’s seen as cul­tural.’

So paint­ings, mil­it­ary arte­facts and stuffed dead anim­als are so import­ant that plan­ning laws can be waived to advert­ise them to the pub­lic, but a notice telling parish­ion­ers of Mass times in a 200-year-old church, in a coun­try in which 70% of the pop­u­la­tion iden­ti­fied as Cath­olic in the 2022 census, has no his­toric or cul­tural sig­ni­fic­ance? How exactly do the they/thems of Dub­lin City Coun­cil reason that one out?

Mock­ing, belittling and den­ig­rat­ing the Cath­olic Church in Ire­land has long been a pop­u­lar sport with this coun­try’s self­styled lib­eral elite, and it is dif­fi­cult to see this spite­ful meas­ure as any­thing other than a bid by the coun­cil to burn­ish its woke cre­den­tials once again.

Pub­li­city

Have a look back at the coun­cil’s online pub­li­city for its 2025 Christ­mas fest­iv­it­ies, and see if you can find the C-word any­where in all that care­fully cur­ated, quaver­ingly anxious and achingly neutered blather – I cer­tainly could not.

You’ve got to won­der who, exactly, the city coun­cil is hop­ing to impress, to pander to or to curry favour with, through disin­genu­ous and craven meas­ures like these.

Is it just about show­ing off how ‘pro­gress­ive’ they are up there in City Hall? Or are they fear­ful of offend­ing reli­gious minor­it­ies – other than the Jews, of course, since the coun­cil’s efforts to rename Herzog Park con­tinue apace – by acknow­ledging that this is a AS an act of petty, ignorant and jaundiced righteousness, Dublin City Council’s high-handed command to an iconic city-centre church to remove its Mass times notice from its railings is hard to beat.

Can’t you just imagine the triumphant glee of some pathetic little jobsworth when they (I bet it’s a ‘they’) realised St Andrew’s Church on Westland Row could be penalised under planning laws for displaying the notice of services on the protected railings in the same manner as it has done for almost 200 years?

How the virtue-signalling wetwipes in the council must have high-fived the genius who spotted this latest opportunity to take another potshot at the Catholic Church and the country’s Christian heritage.

The coveted ‘Employee of the Month’ mug, previously treasured by the bright spark who came up with the idea of the ‘Winter Lights Festival’ to avoid any mention of the word Christmas, has surely landed on a new desk.

In 1829, Daniel O’Connell secured Catholic Emancipation, and the repeal of the Penal Laws, through the Catholic Relief Act. Three years later, the foundaculturally tions of St Andrew’s Church were laid in the very heart of the capital, to provide a place of worship for the citizens of the inner city.

The Liberator himself donated the baptismal font, and a mortuary chapel was later added so the tenement-dwellers of the area no longer needed to wake their dead in their cramped homes.

Since it opened in 1837, St Andrew’s has placed a sign on its railings notifying passers-by, tourists and visitors as well as locals, of the times of its services – Masses, Confessions, Stations of the Cross. Over Christmas and Easter in particular, when extra services are celebrated, it is particularly important that up-todate schedules are posted.

And so it was at Easter time, the greatest celebration in the Christian calendar, that Dublin City Council chose to strike with its shabby little diktat.

Alongside its traditional notice advising parishioners of Easter Mass times, last week the church was forced to display a sign stating: ‘We have been informed by Dublin City Council that notices such as this, that have been in place since the mid-nineteenth century, are in breach of our planning laws and have to be removed.’

So a service to the local community, which was in place long before either Dublin City Council or planning laws were ever heard of, has to be discontinued by order of Dublin City Council and planning laws.

As ‘this leaves us with greatly reduced means to inform you’ of service times over the Easter celebrations, including the fact that world-class soprano Celine Byrne was to perform during the liturgies, St Andrew’s asked parishioners to ‘assist us by sharing this information on social media’. Because I’m sure the older members of the church’s congregation are never off TikTok these days.

As the church has been forced to consult lawyers, incurring expenses it could surely do without, and is hoping to find a way forward in consultation with the council, parish administrator Fr Alan Hilliard told our sister paper, The Irish Mail on Sunday, they couldn’t really comment on the matter for the moment.

But he did admit that it was ‘a bit of a shock’ to receive the missive telling him the practice of fixing notices to the front railings, one dating back ‘a long number of years’, had to cease.

Local Independent councillor Mannix Flynn, never one to mince his words anyway, was less constrained in his response to this absurd bureaucratic overreach. This was a church with a ‘dwindling flock’, he said, ‘trying to tell people that this church is open – they’re not advertising half-price Victoria’s Secret’.

And he pointed out that the council’s argument, that the railings are protected structures, doesn’t hold water, as other protected structures in the area are permitted to hang notices on their equally venerable and ancient railings.

‘This is where the city council gets a little bit ridiculous,’ he said, surely a masterful understatement. ‘If you go round to the National Gallery of Ireland or Collins Barracks, you’ll see signs plastered all over the place and there’s no issue in relation to it, because it’s seen as cultural.’

So paintings, military artefacts and stuffed dead animals are so important that planning laws can be waived to advertise them to the public, but a notice telling parishioners of Mass times in a 200-year-old church, in a country in which 70% of the population identified as Catholic in the 2022 census, has no historic or cultural significance? How exactly do the they/thems of Dublin City Council reason that one out?

Mocking, belittling and denigrating the Catholic Church in Ireland has long been a popular sport with this country’s selfstyled liberal elite, and it is difficult to see this spiteful measure as anything other than a bid by the council to burnish its woke credentials once again.

Have a look back at the council’s online publicity for its 2025 Christmas festivities, and see if you can find the C-word anywhere in all that carefully curated, quaveringly anxious and achingly neutered blather – I certainly could not.

You’ve got to wonder who, exactly, the city council is hoping to impress, to pander to or to curry favour with, through disingenuous and craven measures like these.

Is it just about showing off how ‘progressive’ they are up there in City Hall? Or are they fearful of offending religious minorities – other than the Jews, of course, since the council’s efforts to rename Herzog Park continue apace – by acknowledging that this is a Christian country?

Earlier this year, the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, made headlines when he declared that immigrants to this country should respect our ‘social and cultural’ values.

Calculated insults to the country’s Catholic population, such as this, suggest that respect for our history and heritage, our social fabric and our unique culture, should first begin at home.

Dozens killed in Easter attacks across Nigeria

Dozens of Christians were killed in Easter attacks across Nigeria.

“Multiple communities in Benue, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states report[ed] killings, abductions, and extensive destruction,” according to International Christian Concern, which assists persecuted Christians.

The Lagos-based Vanguard reported that a Protestant church and a Catholic parish were attacked on Easter Sunday in Ariko, which is located in Kaduna State. A local government official told Vanguard:

The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers. Several people were killed, while many others were taken away into the bush.

The Nigerian army claimed that it had rescued 31 Christians who were kidnapped in Ariko, according to a BBC report. 

Reuters reported that local Christians disputed the army’s claim.

Defense Secretary Hegseth removes top Army chaplain amid Iran war, chaplaincy reform

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the head of the Army’s chaplain corps and two other generals during Holy Week as he navigates the ongoing conflict with Iran and continues reforms of the chaplaincy.

Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., who belongs to the National Baptist Convention, began serving as chief of chaplains for the Army on June 20, 2023, and was formally appointed to the position on Dec. 5, 2023. He was the third Black American to hold the position.

Green was formally removed on April 2, 2026, three days before Easter. A Defense Department official confirmed his removal with EWTN News but did not offer a reason for his removal. No reason has been publicly stated, and Green has not publicly commented on his removal.

The Rev. Razz Waff, executive director of the Military Chaplains Association, told EWTN News that Green’s removal is “unprecedented,” noting that chiefs are appointed to “four-year statutory, written-in-law terms.”

“Really, there should be a for-cause reason, and in this case there is no for-cause reason,” Waff said, adding that he believes Green “was doing an absolutely great job.”

With the conflict in Iran ongoing, Waff said “changing senior leaders is always a little risky.” He said the stable leadership provided by Green “will be missed” but that “Army senior chaplains will meet the challenge — I’m sure of that.”

The removal of Green — and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Army Transformation and Training Command Commanding Gen. David M. Hodne — comes more than a month after President Donald Trump began military attacks on Iran. Over the past 14 months, Hegseth has removed more than a dozen senior military officials.

It’s unclear whether Green’s removal is related to Iran policy, whether it is related to Hegseth’s broader efforts to reform the chaplaincy, or whether the reason is entirely different.

In mid-2025, Green introduced “The Army Spiritual Fitness Guide,” which Hegseth scrapped in December. At the time, Hegseth said the guide promoted “secular humanism,” only referenced God once, and never referenced virtue.

When Hegseth halted use of the guide, he said: “Our chaplains are chaplains, not emotional support officers, and we’re going to treat them as such.”

In January, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, spoke in favor of Hegseth removing the guide, similarly condemning efforts to “reduce the chaplaincy to either … social work or cheerleading, none of which is really the chaplain’s job.”

“[Hegseth] definitely wants to return the chaplaincy to responsibility for religious services, religious instruction, and advising the commanders,” Broglio said at the time.

The archdiocese did not respond to a request for comment about Green’s removal.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, criticized Hegseth’s removal of Green in a post on X, noting it was done “without explanation” and called Green “a decorated leader who tended to our military’s spiritual health with honor and distinction.”

“This purge of senior military leaders should alarm every American,” Coons said. “With no clear path to ending the war in Iran, experience and trusted leadership matter more than ever. Instead, Trump and Hegseth are pushing out senior officers for seemingly no valid reason.”

Pentagon omits Catholic Good Friday service

The Pentagon, which headquarters the Department of Defense (DOD), which Hegseth has called the Department of War, held Protestant services on Good Friday but did not hold a Catholic Good Friday service.

A Pentagon official told EWTN News that the Pentagon chaplain office’s priest was not in town on Good Friday, so no service was scheduled. However, Catholic Masses are routinely offered to employees.

“Catholic Masses are held on a daily basis in the Pentagon,” the official said. “Additionally, the Pentagon Chaplain Office holds weekly services for several major religions. ... Every service is open to all department employees.”

The board of the Catholic Military Apostolate of the United States (CMA-US) said in a statement to EWTN News: “We understand that the regular Catholic chaplain assigned to the Pentagon was not present that day. If a Catholic liturgical service is normally offered there and could not be held because other arrangements were not made, that is disappointing.”

“At the same time, moments like this demonstrate precisely why the work of lay apostolates such as CMA-US is so essential,” the statement read. “When chaplains are unavailable to lead formal services, actively involved Catholic lay people living in community within the military can — and must — come together to pray, learn, and sustain the faith life of their brothers and sisters in uniform.”

In January, Broglio said the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, has been facing a priest shortage. At the time, he said the archdiocese has about 190 priests, but “we should probably have about 500 to actually meet the needs.”

Philippines inaugurates center for exorcism, healing

Exorcism is not a common topic in Sunday homilies, less so in conversations among the laity, even among those who are particularly fervent. 

Yet, last month, the Archdiocese of Manila publicly inaugurated the St. Michael Center of Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism, the latest project of the archdiocese's exorcism ministry. 

During the inauguration, the archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jose Advincula, corrected the narrow misperceptions surrounding exorcism. He explained how the center's mission and work will support the Church's wider vocation. 

His homily began by recognizing the reality of spiritual struggle and proclaiming the truth that Christ has already overcome evil through his perfect sacrifice on the cross:

It is a public proclamation that the Church continues to take the reality of spiritual struggle seriously, and that She stands with a sure and unshakeable confidence and hope in the victory of Christ over all forms of evil.

Turning to the image of the dragon in the book of Revelation, the cardinal said that this metaphor refers not only to dramatic diabolical encounters but also for the subtler, ordinary ways in which darkness seeps into our world. He explained that the dragon “reveals that history is not neutral ground. There is a real spiritual conflict that runs through the world, through the human heart, through cultures, through institutions.”

3 Types of bondage we all experience

The cardinal then outlined three dimensions of bondage we all experience. He paralleled these three dimensions with the three archangels, making his homily memorable and powerful all at once. 

The first kind of bondage includes injustice, exploitation, and corruption, reminiscent of the Philippines corruption scandals from last year. 

He spoke of how this dimension is not only institutional but also has a spiritual aspect. St. Michael’s courage inspires the Church to fight against this type of evil with fearless moral conviction:

In such situations, the ministry of Michael calls the Church to courageous defense. To defend the Church from evil is not only to resist demonic forces in a ritual sense; it is also to stand firmly against injustice, exploitation, and moral compromise.

Second, physical illness and poverty. Against these, the cardinal pointed to the Archangel Raphael – his name means “God heals” -- as the reminder that spiritual liberation needs to include compassion and solidarity: 

Many of our brothers and sisters are trapped not only by spiritual anguish but by economic deprivation, chronic illness, and social marginalization. Poverty can suffocate hope. Sickness can isolate the human person. The ministry of liberation must therefore be integrated with works of mercy and concrete solidarity. 

Third, the cardinal addressed “the crisis of truth.” He held up the Archangel Gabriel as a model for the Church. Gabriel's role as messenger and speaker of God’s Word and Truth highlights the importance of resisting trends of misinformation and using communication to sow division instead of unity: 

Gabriel is the messenger of truth. He announces what God truly says. He does not invent but proclaims the word of the Lord. In an era often described as the age of fake news, liberation must include the purification of speech and communication … Spiritual liberation today requires forming communities that value truth, that verify before sharing, that refuse to weaponize information, that resists the temptation to use words to hurt.

His reflections make it easy to appreciate how the St. Michael Center serves the broader vocation of the Church: it is not only a place for exorcism but a sanctuary for liberation and healing of every kind. The cardinal's homily is a catechesis about how the fight against evil is in the hands of every baptized Christian. We fight this battle by listening to our consciences, caring for those who suffer, remaining faithful to the truth, and most importantly, by praying without ceasing. 

The cardinal concluded his reflections by entrusting the center to the Blessed Mother, the woman who crushes the serpent’s head, and by inviting the faithful to pray that this place really does become a sanctuary of healing and liberation for the whole Archdiocese.

Pope Leo XIV Pleased with Growth of Church in Uganda: Bishops after Ad Limina Visit

Members of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) have reflected on their March 15 to 22 Ad Limina visit in Rome, reporting that the Holy Father is pleased with the growth of the Catholic Church in the East African nation.

The Bishops who started by reflecting on their weeklong visit in their Easter Pastoral Message issued on Saturday, April 4, said that they had the opportunity to present the report on the state of the Church in Uganda to the Holy Father and assured him of their collegiality and continued prayers for his ministry and the universal Church.

“In our visit with the Pope, he expressed his appreciation for God’s grace active in the Ministry of the Catholic Church in Uganda,” the Bishops said in the statement that their chairman, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, signed.

They added, in reference to the Holy Father, “He was particularly pleased with the growth of the Catholic Church in Uganda and the increased number of the clergy and religious men and women, and the zealous commitment of the laity to the development and growth of the Church. He bestowed his Apostolic Blessing on Uganda and her people.”

The Bishops explained that the message of the Pope was re-echoed by the Dicasteries of the Holy See as they too commended the good work of the church in Uganda and prayed for her continued growth.

The Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, Latin for “to the thresholds of the Apostles”, is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church.

It requires Diocesan bishops from around the world to travel periodically to Rome to pray at the tombs of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, renew their communion with the Pope, and present detailed reports on the pastoral life of their Dioceses.

In their closing Mass for the visit on March 22, the Bishops praised the country’s community in Rome, which includes those pursuing further studies and workers at the Ugandan Embassy, as an integral part of the local Church.

In his speech after the closing Mass, the UEC chairman told the community that gathered, “The Conference considers you an integral part of the Church community back in Uganda.”

“We therefore come today before you in the spirit of solidarity and unity of that one Church,” Bishop Zziwa said, and added, “We thank you, especially the students who are here, brothers and sisters and Priests.”

Bishop Zziwa expressed gratitude for the contributions of Ugandans in Rome, thanking them for representing the Catholic Church in Uganda and for their prayers and support for pastoral work.

Also speaking at the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Uganda’s Ambassador to Italy, highlighted the vital role of the ecclesiastical community as faithful collaborators with the Embassy.

Elizabeth Paula Napeyok noted that regular interactions throughout the year have strengthened mutual understanding, allowing both the Embassy and the community to recognize their collective strengths.

“We meet maybe three times a year, and we know each other quite well. We know our strong points, and we know our strengths as well,” Ms. Napeyok said, and added, “You have sent really good people here and we are sure that they are going to serve our country well.”

Pope Leo XIV: Every Vocation is a "path of beauty"

The Vatican has published Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which will be celebrated on April 26, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, or Good Shepherd Sunday.

Titled “ The Interior Discovery of God’s Gift,” the Holy Father in the message reflects on the interior dimension of vocation, understood as “the discovery of God’s free gift that blossoms in the depths of our hearts.”

In his message, the pope refers to vocation as “a path of beauty” — one along which, if traveled, life becomes “truly beautiful.” He notes, however, that to perceive this beauty, it is necessary to cultivate one’s interior life.

“The distinctive trait of the saint is the luminous spiritual beauty that radiates from his or her life in Christ,” the pope affirms.

Citing the experience of St. Augustine, the Holy Father invites everyone to discover the presence of God in the innermost recesses of the soul by cultivating prayer and silence. Furthermore, he emphasizes that the gift of vocation is “never an imposition or a one-size-fits-all model to which one merely conforms; instead, it is an adventure of love and happiness.”

“Only when our surroundings are illumined by living faith, sustained by constant prayer, and enriched by fraternal accompaniment can God’s call blossom and mature, becoming a path of happiness and salvation for individuals and for the world,” he noted.

The pope also reminds us that God “knows us profoundly” and points out that this knowledge must be mutual: “We are invited to know God through prayer, listening to the word, the sacraments, the life of the Church, and works of charity for our brothers and sisters.”

He clarifies that this is not a matter of abstract intellectual knowledge or academic learning but rather of “a personal encounter that transforms one’s life.”

“Dear young people, listen to this voice! Listen to the voice of the Lord who invites you to a full and fruitful life, calling you to put your talents to use (cf. Mt 25:14-30) and to unite your limitations and weaknesses with the glorious cross of Christ.”

The pope recommends dedicating time to Eucharistic adoration and meditating on the word of God in order to come to know the Lord and give oneself fully to one’s vocation — whether it be to marriage, the priesthood, or consecrated or religious life.

Life is a continual act of ‘trusting in the Lord’

To know the Lord, Leo XIV continues, means “above all learning to entrust oneself to him and to his providence.” He proposes St. Joseph as a model of this trust and encourages the faithful to cultivate it without ever yielding to despair: “We must overcome fears and doubts, confident that the Lord of history — both of the world and of our own personal story — is risen.”

“He does not abandon us in our darkest hours but comes to dispel every shadow with his light. Through the light and strength of his Spirit, even amid trials and crises, we can see our vocation grow and mature, reflecting ever more fully the beauty of the One who has called us — a beauty shaped by fidelity and trust, despite our wounds and failures,” he affirms.

At the conclusion of his message, the Holy Father recalls that a vocation “is not a fixed point” but rather “a dynamic process of maturation.” Therefore, he explains, the “places” where God’s will is revealed — and where we experience his infinite love — are “often the authentic and fraternal bonds we establish throughout our lives.”

Consequently, he underscores the need to have a good spiritual guide and, finally, encourages everyone — especially young people — to cultivate their personal relationship with God. “Pause, listen, entrust yourselves. In this way, the gift of your vocation will mature, bringing you happiness, and yielding abundant fruit for the Church and for the world.”

“Francis’ Argentina,” a documentary retracing Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s footsteps

The northern Italian town of Asti, Vatican City, and the southern island of Lampedusa are geographically distant but united by a common thread: the memory of Pope Francis, his roots, and his constant exhortations to look toward the future of the Church through the eyes of the Gospel.

The documentary “Francis’ Argentina” (“L’Argentina di Francesco”) traces this journey through time and space, with testimonies and archival footage. It was produced by the Catholic TV Station Telepace in collaboration with Vatican News.

On Wednesday, April 8, a screening will take place at the Vatican Film Library in the morning, while the official presentation is scheduled on the afternoon of the same day in Asti, the northern Italian town where Pope Francis’ family originated. The screening at Asti's Pastrone Hall will see the presence of Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s relatives, amongst others.

“In the morning, I wake up and wait for that phone call from ‘Giorgio’ that never comes,” says Pope Francis’ cousin Carla Rabezzana, who had welcomed him for lunch in her home in the Portacomaro area during his visit to Asti in November 2022.

“In his heart there was the desire to come and visit me,” adds another cousin, Nella Bergoglio, who lives in Peveragno in the province of nearby Cuneo. “I miss his straightforwardness, his faith, his way of communicating with people—and, why not, even his proverbs.”

Remembering Francis

“He loved all of us from Asti very much,” says Orsola Appendino, who provided technical consultation and organizational support for the documentary that was filmed in Buenos Aires.

“The last time I met him was on December 12, 2024, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the end of the celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe. Even then, he came up to me and greeted me in Piedmontese, saying clearly and loudly: ‘cerea!’,” she continues, showing a video recorded by some of the faithful present.

Many moments featured in the film remain etched in the minds and hearts of people around the world. This feeling certainly extends to the residents of Lampedusa, an Italian island in the Mediterranean - the destination of Pope Francis' first pastoral visit - where the documentary will be screened on April 10 at the parish of St. Gerlando.

“The island remembers Francis and awaits Leo,” says parish priest Father Carmelo Rizzo, looking ahead to Pope Leo’s visit, scheduled for July, in light of the anniversary of Pope Francis’ trip to the island in 2013.

“We owe a great deal to Pope Francis, also in the way we view and live the Church’s mission. And the documentary represents not only an opportunity for a collective embrace of a Pope who knew how to draw close to others, but also a chance to recall his message of hope and welcome.”

Logo and Motto released for Pope Leo's visit to Spain

The Holy See Press Office has released the logo and motto for Pope Leo XIV's Apostolic Journey to Spain, which will take place from 6-12 June.

The logo

The logo is designed as an open circle in motion, formed by human figures joined together and oriented upward.  

The emblem expresses community, encounter and mutual support. 

This does not mean only being together, but also walking together toward a common purpose. 

The Virgin Mary, placed at the center, represents the heart of the movement - a maternal presence that welcomes and directs every gaze toward God, as a sign of unity and hope for all people.

The motto

The chosen motto, “Lift up your eyes” (Jn 4:35), is an invitation to look beyond our daily concerns and rediscover the presence of God while opening ourselves to others.  

It is a call to hope and contemplation, encouraging people to go beyond themselves and to rediscover unity, beauty and charity as concrete expressions of a shared life. 

This gesture of “lifting up our eyes” also expresses the attitude with which the Church in Spain welcomes the Holy Father’s visit: with open hearts, ready to walk forward together.

Easter Vigil Homily 2026 Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast

Easter Vigil Homily 2026 

Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast

___________________________ 

‘Do not be afraid!’ ‘There is no need to be afraid!’ In that wonderful account of the Resurrection in St Matthew’s Gospel those are the first words the women who went to the tomb heard, first from the angel and then from Jesus himself.

Listening to the great sweep of God’s faithfulness in our readings just now, we are all at different places in our journeys of Christian faith. Some of us here heard them as they open their hearts to receive the new life in Christ in Baptism, Confirmation and reception into full communion with the Catholic Church. Most of us have been on this road for years. But I have no doubt that each one of us, for his or her own reasons needs to hear the angel say; ‘there is no need to be afraid’. More importantly, in the very particular circumstances of the life of each one of us, we have the right to hear Jesus speak personally to me, saying; ‘do not be afraid’.

Shortly I will be inviting everyone here to make – or to renew – the most profound promises of our lives. Our baptismal promises, which effectively say: ‘I belong to Christ. I reject all that is not of him. I believe in the God who made me, redeemed me and loves me.’ That is the fundamental reason why I have good reason not be afraid.

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We make these promises here tonight in the Cathedral under the patronage of St Peter. He is our patron, and we do well to remember him because he knows what it is like to be confronted with great fear. Simon Peter, the fisherman from Galilee who became the Rock — and who denied Jesus.

Three times, in the courtyard of the high priest, a servant girl asked him: ‘Are you not one of his disciples?’ Peter said: No. I am not one of them. I don’t know who you are talking about. Peter is not a stranger to us. We know him — because we have been him. Peter failed his promises spectacularly. And yet, by the providence and grace of God, he is our patron here. Peter is the one who intercedes for us tonight.

Peter knows that we have a great weakness as well as a great call. Three times Peter denied Jesus. Then, Jesus welcomed him back and asked him three times; ‘do you love me?’ Do you love me? Do you love me?’ Peter answered earnestly; ‘Yes, Lord you know I love.’ He was restored. Commissioned. Sent.

On this night we too we will be restored, commissioned by our Baptism and sent. And to be baptised and sent, we must be able to answer Jesus when he asks: Do you love me? Our baptismal promises are our invitation to declare our love of Jesus. At Easter we gather to make or renew our promises because we so often fall short, just as Peter did. But Peter, who had wept in the darkness, became the one who brought healing, brought peace, shared the love of Jesus and built the Church. This is the Peter we ask to pray for us tonight. Not the perfect Peter — there was no perfect Peter. But the forgiven Peter. The restored Peter. The Peter who was sent to share the love of the Risen Christ. 

Being sent to proclaim the Risen Christ has never been an easy task. From the very first moment of Easter morning, it has required courage. Those women who came to the tomb in the grey light before dawn — who ran from that place with fear and great joy, who were the first in all human history to carry the news that death had been defeated — they were not extraordinary people. They were ordinary people, asked to do something that felt impossible.

To say what they had seen. To be believed. To keep saying it, even when they were not. From that morning until now, every generation of Christians has faced the same call and the same cost. To speak when silence would be easier. To love when indifference would be safer.

To witness to a Risen Lord in a world that does not always want to hear it. The angel knew this. And so the angel’s first words to those women at the empty tomb were not an explanation, not a command — they were a gift. Do not be afraid.

But the angel did not leave them there, standing in their wonder. Come and see, the angel said — and then, immediately: Go. Go quickly. Tell his disciples. There is an urgency woven into that first Easter morning. The good news is not something to be held quietly inside. It is something to be carried, at speed, to the people who have not yet heard it.

In the coming week pay attention to all the Resurrection appearances of Jesus. Notice that in every appearance, the first gift Jesus gives is not information. It is peace. He begins with the people in front of him, and what they most need in that moment. Tonight we are gathered to receive that same peace — to know it deeply, to let it settle in us. Because it is the peace of Christ that sustains us as we go out to give witness to the Gospel. It is what makes it possible to live in a way that shows, without performance or pretence, that we are followers of Jesus.

The world stands in need of Christians who are not afraid. The world needs us. People who will speak the name of Jesus not as an embarrassment but as the name above every name. People who will love — actually love, with cost and inconvenience and sacrifice — because they have been loved first by God.

That peace is not the absence of difficulty. The early Christians knew difficulty. But they were not paralysed: they were afraid, and they went forward anyway, because the One who said ‘Do not be afraid’ had walked out of a sealed tomb and they had seen him with their own eyes.

We have not seen him with our own eyes. But we have received the testimony of those who did. We have received the Scriptures, the sacraments, this community, this night. We have, in Baptism, a share in the very life of the Risen One. And so to us also, across every century and on this holy night, he says: Do not be afraid.

And when we go from this place — out into a city and a world that needs witnesses — remember what we promised here. Remember the angel’s word and the Lord’s greeting. Remember that the same power that rolled away the stone is at work in you. You are not alone. You have never been alone. And the One who called you by name in the waters of Baptism calls you by name still. Do not be afraid.

Bishop Brendan Leahy: When our leaders choose war over ending world hunger, we must speak out

There are more than 60 wars ongoing across the world. Recently, our attention has focused on the Middle East — the great religious heartland where Christ lived, gave hope, suffered and died.

But there are many others: ­Russia’s war on Ukraine, conflicts in Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, ­Thailand and Cambodia.

There is a growing sense of ­uncertainty about where our world is heading. Global military expenditure on war rose to $2.7tn (€2.28tn) last year — 2.5pc of global GDP.

One year of war cost the same amount as it would to end global hunger for up to 65 years, based on World Food ­Programme ­estimates.

What this reveals about global leadership is stark. Governments are choosing to allocate vast wealth towards conflict, deterrence and strategic advantage, while hundreds of millions remain undernourished.

Leaders speak of security, but ­define it narrowly: borders, weapons systems, spheres of influence. Yet what greater threat to global stability exists than chronic hunger, poverty and desperation? It can feel as though a drone is valued more than a child without food.

At its core, conflict is often driven by control — of territory, resources and power. Meanwhile, the most basic human need, food, remains unmet.

At Easter, this imbalance feels ­especially stark. The season calls us to sacrifice, to place others before ourselves, to choose compassion over self-interest.

Nobody suggests that nations can abandon defence or ignore real threats. But the scale of the disparity matters. It is not a question of whether we can solve hunger. It is that we choose not to. And what does that say about global leadership?

Pope Leo did not shy away from this in his Easter message, stating: “Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.” He added that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them”.

Regrettably, it feels as though ­conflict is not just confined to distant battlefields. Relationships seem to come under strain more easily. Public discourse becomes harsher. Division and hostility grow.

Easter reminds us that we cannot remain indifferent to the poison of division. When we look at the world through Easter eyes, we recall the first words of the risen Christ: “Peace be with you.” That greeting remains a profound and enduring call.

Peace is not simply an ideal; it is a task. The Easter message tells us that peace is possible, but it requires our participation. That begins with allowing ourselves to be moved — even outraged — by suffering, and to see the world from the perspective of victims.

Wars are not video games. Innocent lives are lost. Families carry trauma that will last for generations.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin ­Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently ­described the conditions in Gaza, ­saying: “There is a shortage of medicines and basic antibiotics. People are literally living in the sewers and in tents.” Schools, hospitals, ambulances and homes have been destroyed.

We must raise our voices to ­leaders, urging them to step back from ­escalation and recognise the human cost of conflict. We must also pray for the courage and humility needed to turn away from violence.

But peace also begins closer to home. We are invited to reflect honestly: am I a person of peace? Do I contribute to harmony or division?

We cannot build peace alone. It is through our relationships that we ­become a counterweight to those who sow hatred and violence.

This Easter, even the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is closed. Yet Christians speak of a “liturgy of life” — a daily commitment to hope. Despite conflict and destruction, the resurrection is quietly woven into history. Christ’s victory over death and sin was not simply an ending, but a beginning — a new possibility for humanity.

Pope Francis often reminded us not to remain on the sidelines of hope. We are called to act — to create “pockets of peace” in our daily lives.

History ­offers encouragement. The early 1980s were marked by fear and tension, yet through sustained peace efforts the decade ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall and unprecedented steps toward disarmament. Ireland’s own peace process stands as a powerful example.

When John Hume accepted the ­Nobel Peace Prize, he spoke of his ­simple desire to serve others as the foundation for peace. At a time of global uncertainty, his leadership ­remains deeply relevant.

The Easter message is the offering of hope, redemption and the promise of eternal life. It signifies God’s profound love, the defeat of darkness and the transforming of suffering. It is a message that responds to the deep longing within our hearts.

Defrocking of Abbots in Monasteries in USA – Georgian Patriarchate: They do not belong to our jurisdiction

The Georgian Patriarchate has issued a clarifying statement regarding the status of the Monasteries of Saint Jacob, Saint Nino, and the Holy Spirit in the United States.

As explained, the abbots of the aforementioned monasteries were defrocked last year, while the abbess was removed from her position. Members of the women’s monastery were also subjected to the non-communion penance “due to other canonical offenses they committed against the Church,” according to a note sent by Bishop Saba of North America.

Specifically, the abbots of the Monastery of Saint Jacob in Oklahoma, as well as those of the Monasteries of Saint Nino and the Holy Spirit in Maryland, were defrocked. 

According to the Patriarchate’s announcement and the explanatory report of Bishop Saba, these sanctions were imposed last year, while the abbess was likewise deposed. The members of the women’s monastery were placed under the non-communion penance “for additional canonical violations committed against the Church,” as stated in the report.

Bishop Saba had also informed Patriarch Ilia II in writing about these developments at the time. Furthermore, in a letter sent on March 21 of this year, it is noted that the individuals involved present themselves as abbots and members of stauropegial monasteries of the Georgian Patriarchate.

In its latest announcement, the Georgian Patriarchate clarifies that, beyond the penalties imposed, “of which we were informed by Bishop Saba (Inchkerveli)”, the aforementioned monasteries are not stauropegial and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Patriarchate.

Nampa priest sentencing for lewd acts with a child pushed to April 28

April 28, former Nampa priest Robert Esquivel, known as Father Toto, will learn his sentence for one count of committing a lewd act with a child. 

He was originally set to be sentenced on April 1, after accepting a plea deal in January which dropped a second count of the same charge and a charge of raping a child.

Nampa Police said the victim was not affiliated with the church or its school. Esquivel was arrested in August 2025 and has been held at the Canyon County Jail on a $300,000 bond.

Esquivel was a priest at Nampa's St. Paul's Catholic Church at the time of his arrest. 

Soon after his arrest, a leader at the Diocese of Boise said they 'removed his priestly faculties, meaning he is prohibited from any priestly ministry.'

Idaho Catholic diocese launches program to recruit priests amid shortage

In the state of Idaho, Catholic priests are a precious commodity especially when the number of converts is steadily rising but the supply of priests in the pipeline ready to meet this growing demand is lagging.

The Catholic Diocese of Boise shared publicly last week about its record numbers of people coming through its church doors. 

The Diocesan Office of Development sent an email to approximately 227,000 Idaho Catholics sharing a message from Bishop Peter F. Christensen that celebrated the “notable growth” and acknowledged “something was going on.”

Realities faced

In Idaho, the good news of a growing church body is certainly welcomed by those involved in on-the-ground vocations recruitment. However, these increases bring to light the hard truth that without more priests shepherding the Lord’s flock in local parishes, challenges may lie ahead in meeting the demands.

“The situation is rather dire in terms of our need for priests here,” said the Rev. Nelson Cintra, 40, the Parochial Vicar at the Lady of the Valley parish in Caldwell. In February, he was appointed to the new position of priesthood “Vocations Promoter” by Bishop Christensen, and Cintra is now launching a full-scale program to foster young men interested in serving God.

According to a 2025 end year report compiled by the Diocese’s Office of Development, Idaho has 107 parishes, stations and chapels statewide served by approximately 90 priests.

Dianna Decker is the president of Serra Club of North Idaho, an organization of about 40 Catholic men and women, who promote and support priesthood and religious life vocations across the entire state. She has been its leader since inception 10 years ago.

She said fostering young men to become priests is at a “crisis crossroads” in the gem state.

“Serra Club has always promoted vocations, but we’ve always had to do so on our own,” she said. “But to have the Diocese finally moving ahead and creating a network of support for these young men interested in the priesthood is crucial for the Idaho church to survive.”

Keeping hopeful

According to Decker, Cintra’s “desire and devotion” makes him the right priest for the job.

“Father Cintra is on fire for vocations,” she said. “He was ordained four years ago and is a great priest who is humble, pious and energetic.”

Decker reported Idaho has nine seminarians in its priest pipeline, which includes five men within two years of completion, one in the middle of his program and three just getting started.

She also explained there is a 50% dropout rate for seminarians in Idaho and across the country, which is an “ominous hurdle” for priest development in today’s societal culture.

“We have got to get more motivated young men in the priesthood pipeline,” she said. “Idaho is easily five years behind in recruitment of what we need. With the average time of seven years for in-formation to priestly ordination, it places a serious hardship on our existing overworked priests.”

A statewide kick off and meet up

Upon his appointment, Cintra wasted no time hitting the recruitment road, embracing his new mission with determined spirit.

“In short, my job is to encourage, inspire and develop interested men to take steps to apply for the seminary and continue their walk towards priesthood,” Cintra said.

Forging a path forward is his laser focus. But the bottom line certainly wasn’t all he cared about.

“More importantly, I want to create relationships and do stuff that guys want to do in the context of teaching virtue, how to pray and how to develop a relationship with God,” he said.

Cintra recently wrapped up a two-month mini-tour across the state, hosting a series of information events called Navigation Nights in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Cottonwood and Coeur d’Alene. More field visits are planned this year.

“Lots of guys attended and a buzz was generated,” Cintra said.

He invited and welcomed men ages 12-18 and their families to meet up for faith, fellowship and fun. Cintra offered a personal, two-hour get together that included sports games, dinner, a rosary procession, resource sharing, a presentation and Q&A.

Spotlight on one field visit

The Coeur d’Alene Navigation Night on March 4 had 16 men attend from six different North Idaho parishes ranging in age 12-18.

Lots of information was shared, but what the young men seemed to like most were the sports games, the spiritual activities like the outdoor, nighttime rosary procession and connecting with Cintra himself on a personal level.

The evening received rave reviews.

Ethan West, 13, of Sandpoint, said he had “a fun time,” but one specific activity left a lasting impression on him.

“I really felt something different saying the rosary tonight,” he said.

His Sandpoint friend Thomas Buckmelter, also 13, had nothing but positives to share about his experience. “I liked doing basketball and Dodgeball. And, I liked doing the rosary outside.”

Several of the young men’s dads stayed, too, and participated in the games and activities along with their sons. Cameron Edman, a Coeur d’Alene’s St. Thomas the Apostle parish member, was one of them. He brought his oldest son, 12-year-old Gabe, to the event.

“We want to be here to encourage and do whatever we can within our family to support priesthood (and marriage) for our children and our faith,” Edman said.

Nicolas Buckmelter, Thomas’s dad, added his perspectives.

“I thought it would be nice to meet another priest and at least start thinking about vocations,” Buckmelter said. “It was good for Thomas to be introduced to priesthood and also to be around other Catholic boys who shared our worldly values. The food, games and friendship were great, too.”

Decker said having family support and involvement is essential to foster a religious life option for men.

“We have to promote vocations in the family,” she said. “Parents are the first exposure of the Catholic faith. They help culminate that love of the Lord and to serve.”

A culture of inclusion and support

Cintra’s travels these past months to local parish communities opened doors and conversations, which he sees bearing fruit long-term.

“At this point, my estimation is there are about 140 guys around the state who, if asked to raise their hands if they have an interest in priesthood, would do so,” Cintra explained. “We are identifying guys who are self-selecting to the priesthood and supporting their exploration journey of that desire.”

One of Cintra’s strategic pillars for priest cultivation is to establish the Sons of St. Joseph, a year-round, priest-focused program with two cohorts: one for “younger brothers” (ages 13-18) and a second for “older brothers” (19+).

“There currently is no track or dedicated effort available to these men into seminary,” Cintra said.

It’s his and the Diocese’s goal to change that by offering one-on-one priest connection and engagement and a fellowship community.

“I have a love for adventure, for the outdoors and for working with youth,” said Cintra. “I also have a background in sales and fundraising along with skills in galvanizing folks to do things.”

Sons of St. Joseph will include weekly gatherings and study, fraternal activities such as sports, camping and backpacking, seminary visits, silent retreats and more. It launches statewide May 1.

Cintra expects to make tweaks as he goes along, but he admitted its success doesn’t solely rest in his hands.

“God willing, it will all come together.”

What’s to come

Christensen has set a goal of growing the number of seminarians in the Diocese of Boise to a consistent pool of 20 men in formation.

Knowing this, Father Cintra expects “for the foreseeable future” he will proactively forge relationships and guide men spiritually, which brings him much joy.

“I have a real love for the priesthood. It’s the best. Every week I’m surprised by something wonderful,” he said. “I really believe in what I’m selling.”

For him, his faith gives him what he needs to walk this unknown path ahead.

“I am in full confidence of God’s singular love for me personally and of my identity of being his beloved son,” he said. “That is what I want and hope these young men will also discover is the case for each of them.”

Court of Review Orders New Disciplinary Hearing for Dallas Priest Over Procedural Errors

The Episcopal Church’s Court of Review has thrown out a disciplinary ruling against the Rev. Edward R. Monk of the Diocese of Dallas and ordered a new hearing, citing multiple “serious errors” in how the diocesan Hearing Panel conducted a May 27, 2025 trial on financial misconduct charges.

In a majority opinion released in the appeal Monk v. Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, the Court said the panel’s handling of the case “substantially prejudiced” Monk’s right to a fair proceeding and violated several provisions of Title IV, the church’s disciplinary canons. 

Monk, former rector of St. John’s, Corsicana, faces both canonical charges and a pending Texas criminal indictment alleging misappropriation of substantial church funds and fraudulent use of a parishioner’s credit card; he has denied the canonical allegations.

The Court of Review stopped short of addressing the merits of the financial misconduct findings and instead focused on process. It held that the Dallas panel erred by refusing a short continuance after Monk’s lead counsel fell ill with Covid, pressing ahead with a hybrid hearing in which the lawyer, appearing virtually, repeatedly told the panel he could not hear the proceedings, and then continuing after Monk and his counsel left. 

That sequence, the Court said, amounted to the “effective exclusion” of defense counsel and violated Monk’s canonical right to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and argue his case under Canon IV.13.10.b.6, as well as a diocesan canon that requires all participants in electronic meetings to be able to hear each other at the same time.

The Court also found that the Dallas panel failed in its duty to create a reliable verbatim record for appeal. Instead of using a trained court reporter at the hearing, the panel relied on mobile phones to record the session and later had a reporter transcribe the audio; the resulting 77‑page transcript contained “several hundred” “inaudible” gaps, disputed wording, and no clear indication of which documents were actually admitted into evidence or whether witnesses were properly sworn, the Court said. 

Subsequent corrections to the transcript were made by the panel president, and, according to the Court, with input from the Church Attorney but without notice to Monk’s counsel, contributing to what the majority called an “unreliable” record that undermined Monk’s right of appeal.

A further major issue was the use of the Navarro County district attorney, who is prosecuting Monk in the parallel criminal case, as a key witness at the church hearing. The Court criticized the Church Attorney for calling the prosecutor to summarize testimony from secret grand jury proceedings and to convey the conclusions of a state forensic accountant whose underlying report and work were not disclosed to Monk or his lawyer in advance or at the hearing. 

Because the accountant did not testify and her report was never produced, Monk could not meaningfully cross-examine on methodology, documents relied upon, or qualifications, nor prepare rebuttal expert testimony, the Court said. It held that this use of the prosecutor, together with the nondisclosure of the forensic report, violated Monk’s rights under Canon IV.13.10.b.6 and was “highly prejudicial.”

The majority also flagged a separate canonical violation in how the case was framed for the Hearing Panel, though it did not treat that issue as a ground of reversal only because it was not raised below or on appeal. When the Church Attorney filed the required Statement of Offenses in September 2024, he attached ten investigative reports prepared earlier in the Title IV process, despite Canon IV.13.2.a barring “any materials from any prior proceedings under Title IV” from being given to the Hearing Panel. 

That rule exists to prevent the panel from being influenced by investigative material outside the evidentiary hearing; the Court described the violation as “serious” and “highly prejudicial” in principle and warned against repeating it on remand.

On the standard of review, the Court rejected the Diocese’s argument that Monk’s partial departure from the hearing limited the appeal to “plain error” review under Canon IV.15.5(a), as in the earlier case Watkins v. Diocese of Alabama. 

The majority held that Monk had “good cause” to cease participation once his ill counsel, appearing remotely, was unable to hear the proceedings and the panel insisted on continuing, and therefore applied the broader Canon IV.15.5(b) standard, which allows relief where canonical violations or procedural errors “substantially prejudiced” the respondent.

Monk’s three other appellate claims were rejected. The Court held that the Dallas panels had jurisdiction despite changes in the named complainant; that Title IV contains no requirement to stay disciplinary proceedings during related criminal cases, and that the decision not to stay here was within the bishop’s and panel’s discretion; and that aside from the forensic accounting materials addressed directly, Monk’s complaints about limits on pre‑hearing discovery did not justify overturning the decision.

The remand order includes detailed conditions for any new diocesan hearing. Among them, the investigative reports are not to be sent to the new panel; no member of the original panel may sit again; no attorney involved in the criminal prosecution may testify; the indictment itself will be inadmissible, though the fact of any unresolved charges may be presented; and any financial testimony must come from witnesses who personally examined the underlying documents, with full advance disclosure of their reports and the records they used. 

The Court directed that the Diocese hire a trained, neutral court reporter to swear witnesses and produce an accurate transcript, that both sides be allowed to review and propose corrections to the transcript, that each party name backup counsel in case of unavailability, and that the new hearing be conducted in person. It also set a timetable requiring the Church Attorney to specify and disclose the financial accounts, transactions, dates and documents to be used at least 60 days before any hearing, with Monk to identify his own financial evidence 30 days before, and allowed additional depositions of accounting witnesses outside the usual two‑deposition limit for fact witnesses.

Canon Gregory Jacobs, a member of the Court, concurred in the result but wrote separately to criticize the Church Attorney’s Statement of Offenses as lacking the specificity needed to give Monk fair notice of the charges. Jacobs said the statement named neither dates, places, amounts nor the particular canons allegedly violated, and instead improperly relied on attaching investigative reports already generated under Title IV, which both violated Canon IV.13.2.a and left Monk “quite literally not knowing who, what, when, or where the allegations would have occurred.” 

He further argued that the absence of dates prevented the Hearing Panel from assessing whether some charges were time‑barred under Canon IV.19.4.e, which limits the initiation of proceedings for certain offenses to misconduct occurring within the preceding two years, and concluded that these failures also substantially prejudiced Monk.

Four members of the Court — Dr. Delbert Glover, the Rev. Giovan King, Bishop E. Mark Stevenson, and the Rev. Marisa Thompson — dissented. While acknowledging what they called “profoundly flawed” procedures and sharing the majority’s concern over the transcript, recordkeeping and use of the district attorney as a witness, the dissenters said Monk’s decision to leave the hearing after the opening statement meant he “otherwise fail[ed] to participate” under Canon IV.15.5(a) and so was entitled only to a narrow “clear error” review. 

In their view, on that limited standard the evidence in the existing record — particularly bank documents and testimony by diocesan and accounting witnesses — was sufficient to support the Hearing Panel’s findings, and they were not left with a “definite and firm conviction” that the panel was mistaken in concluding Monk had misappropriated funds and violated the canons.

The dissenters stressed that Title IV is an ecclesiastical disciplinary process rooted in the promises of ordination and the duty of clergy to “cooperate” with investigations, rather than a secular criminal proceeding in which a defendant may choose not to participate. 

They urged the wider church to provide better training for hearing panels, especially on evidentiary procedure and record‑making, but said that had Monk remained and participated to the best of his ability, they would have joined the majority in ordering a new hearing.