Former St Michael’s priest trial starts next week

THE trial of a priest accused of committing sexual offences more than four decades ago is set to begin next week, a court has been told.

Canon Patrick McEntee (70), of Esker Road, Dromore, faces charges of indecently assaulting five complainants between September 1978 and December 1989.

The offences are alleged to have occurred during his time in Co Fermanagh.

The cleric, who requested a leave of absence two years ago amid a serious safeguarding investigation, has denied all charges.

No details about the alleged offences have yet been disclosed in court.

However, at a pre-trial review hearing at Dungannon Crown Court on Wednesday, both prosecution and defence confirmed the case would proceed on Monday.

McEntee’s defence counsel indicated that the trial is expected to run into the following week.

Originally from Monaghan, Canon McEntee joined the staff of St Michael’s College, Enniskillen, in

1987, teaching religious studies and serving on the Board of Governors.

He was college president from 1994 to 2000 before becoming parish priest of St Davog’s Church in Dromore in 2001 – a role he held until his recent leave of absence.

Church in Wales confirms financial irregularities relating to Archbishop’s protégé

Details have emerged for the first time about financial irregularities associated with a senior cleric who was a protégé of the Archbishop of Wales, Andy John.

The departure of Siôn Rhys Evans as both Sub-Dean of Bangor Cathedral and Bangor’s Diocesan Secretary has previously been unexplained, with Church in Wales officials refusing to answer questions about it.

He had been on gardening leave for 10 months when an announcement that he was leaving was made in Bangor’s St Deiniol Cathedral on December 29 2024. His resignation as Diocesan Secretary was filed at Companies House on February 20 2025.

A source in the Bangor Diocese was in the cathedral when the announcement about Siôn Rhys Evans’ departure was made from the pulpit. They told us: “It was very noticeable that not a word of thanks was uttered as the announcement was made.”

Now Nation.Cymru is able to reveal that irregular payments totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds were made on the watch of Siôn Rhys Evans and ultimately the Archbishop of Wales, who is also the Bishop of Bangor and lead trustee for the Diocesan charity.

Safeguarding

On May 13 the Archbishop issued a statement following the publication of two reports that revealed serious safeguarding issues in the Diocese, including inappropriate sexual behaviour, that had made people feel unsafe. The Diocese had been put into “special measures” with a view to eliminating such toxicity.

The statement said that a number of Serious Incident Reports had been made to the Charity Commission about safeguarding and financial issues, but no further details were given.

A source in the Bangor Diocese has since told us: “There has been serious concern about the way Diocesan funds were spent during the period when Siôn Rhys Evans was in charge.

“Some £418,000 was spent without proper authority on furnishings including new pews, a new altar, choir stalls, ‘credence tables’ [on which communion wine and other items rest during services], and stackable chairs. There was inadequate consultation and information about this spending, and the money came from Diocesan funds instead of the cathedral.

“Another area of concern was spending totalling around £20,000 on one trip to Dublin and two trips to Rome, the first of which was a ‘recce’ for Siôn Rhys Evans and some colleagues and the second of which involved a larger party, with air fares, hotel accommodation, food and alcoholic drinks paid for with a Diocesan credit card.”

Questions

We put a number of questions to the Church in Wales: “We have been told that on February 8 this year Archbishop Andy John wrote to the Charity Commission to draw attention to the fact that financial records relating to the spending of Diocesan / Cathedral money were incomplete.

“We have also been told that at the time he was sent on gardening leave, Siôn Rhys Evans was allowed access to computer records. Subsequently it came to light that among financial records missing were Church credit card statements.

“One of the areas of concern is the cost of three trips – one to Dublin and two to Rome – costing a total of around £20k.

“What can you tell us about these matters?”

A spokesperson from Bangor Cathedral said: “On February 6, in response to information received, the Charity Commission wrote to the Bangor Diocesan Trust with advice to Trustees on a number of issues. The letter did not require a response from Trustees, though the issues have been addressed.

“Siôn Rhys Evans had no access to computer records while he was away from his duties. The financial records and credit card statements have now been reconciled.”

Serious Incident Report

Responding to the question about the trips to Dublin and Rome, the spokesperson said: “This formed part of a Serious Incident Report made by the Archbishop of Wales to the Charity Commission on July 17 2024 relating to Bangor Diocesan Board of Finance.

“The report noted that the finances for these Choir visits had come from the Diocesan funds rather than from the Cathedral’s. He then undertook a series of actions to correct the issues which he had reported, and, after confirming these with the Charity Commission (March 31 2025), the Serious Incident was then closed by them. The Dean and Chapter have agreed to pay back funds spent by the Diocese which should have been borne by them.”

A source in the Bangor Diocese said: “This is the first time any details have been released about these matters. The lack of transparency from the Archbishop has been shocking.

“He is essentially the leading Trustee of a registered charity responsible for Diocesan funds, and he has a responsibility to ensure that funds were spent properly. He has failed to do so. The correspondence with the Charity Commission should be published.

“I have been told that Siôn Rhys Evans was given access to the Diocesan / Cathedral Dropbox account at the time when he went on gardening leave, rather than to his email and other systems. The two are separate.”

Westminster College

Since leaving the Diocese and the cathedral, Siôn Rhys Evans has been appointed to the role of Bursar and General Manager at Westminster College, Cambridge on a salary of up to £70,000. 

The college trains people to be ministers in the United Reform Church. Siôn Rhys Evans’ role is multi-faceted and includes financial planning.

Neither the Diocese of Bangor nor Westminster College will say whether he was given a reference by the Archbishop, who has faced calls for his resignation over the saga.

Archbishop of New York visits Offaly to reunite with 100-year-old former teacher, Sister Mary Bosco

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York made a visit to Tullamore, Offaly, this week after taking part in the conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV last week.

Cardinal Dolan visited his past teacher while in Ireland, Sister Mary Bosco Daly who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Sister Mary Bosco Daly is a Kilbeggan native now in retirement at the Convent of St Josephs in Tullamore, who taught Cardinal Dolan at the beginning of her teaching days at Holy Infant Ballwin Missouri.

Cardinal Dolan posted a video of his meeting with Sister Mary Bosco on social media and said that he should be in Rome with Pope Leo XIV.

“Choosing is always important for God. He chooses us, he chose Matthias, we just chose a new Pope. So this choice, this call, this vocation continues in the church.

“I thank God for Sister Bosco’s vocation as a devoted, generous Sister of Mercy who came. I thank God for the call, the choice of Pope Leo,” Cardinal Dolan said.

Cardinal Dolan’s visit coincided with the date of his parent’s wedding anniversary, Robert Dolan and Shirley Radcliffe, in 1949 in Missouri.

In a lighter moment at the end of the video, Cardinal Dolan asked Sister Mary Bosco if she would like to sing, to which she declined, and he responded “thank God”.

Cardinal Dolan was named Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI in February 2009. He had served as Archbishop of Milwaukee prior to that, appointed there by Pope Saint John Paul II in June 2002.

THE DIOCESE OF DOWN & CONNOR and EDUARDO YANGA

 Neutral Citation No: [2025] NICA 21

Judgment: approved by the court for handing down

(subject to editorial corrections)* 

Ref: KEE12760

 

ICOS No: 24/96232/A01

Delivered: 08/05/2025

IN HIS MAJESTY’S COURT OF APPEAL IN NORTHERN IRELAND

___________

THE TRUSTEE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF LARNE 

THE DIOCESE OF DOWN & CONNOR 

Plaintiffs/Respondents

and

EDUARDO YANGA

Defendant/Appellant

___________

Mr Yanga appeared as a Litigant in Person

Mr Conor Lockhart (instructed by Napier Solicitors) for the Respondent

___________

Before: Keegan LCJ, Horner LJ and Humphreys J

___________

KEEGAN LCJ (delivering the ex-tempore judgment of the court)

Introduction

[1] The court is in a position to provide a ruling in this appeal which we will, after I deliver the unanimous decision of the court, have typed and sent to the parties.

[2] This is an appeal from a decision of Mr Justice Huddleston (“the judge”) sitting in the Chancery Division. Mr Lockhart appeared at the lower court for the plaintiff/respondent, the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Parish of Larne and Diocese of Down and Connor and, the defendant to the original application under appeal and the appellant in this court, is Mr Eduardo Yanga, who appeared as a litigant in person in the court below, and who appears as a litigant in person in this court.

[3] We have had the benefit of reading the file of papers in this case which includes a position paper from both parties as to the case that they wish to make to us on appeal. We have also invited both parties to provide oral submissions to us and we have considered those as well as the written material.

[4] Additionally, in terms of the material that we have, we have a transcript of the hearing that took place before Mr Justice Huddleston and a ruling which he gave which informs us of his decision.

Factual background

[5] The background to this case is set out in the position paper filed by Mr Lockhart which I will summarise. The summons for relief was brought under Order 113 Rule 6 of the Rules of the Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) 1980. 

This is a summary procedure. The summons sought an order for possession of a property at 6 Princes Gardens in Larne. This property is owned by the plaintiffs and there is no issue in relation to that. 

The property was historically occupied by the Reverend Patrick Buckley until his death on 17 May 2024. 

[6] There has been some previous litigation in relation to this which is explained in the papers. We note that the Reverend Buckley had previously brought legal proceedings against the plaintiffs in respect of the property. 

Those were by way of adverse possession proceedings. These were settled pursuant to a caretaker agreement signed on 12 January 2012. 

The terms of the agreement are clear. 

It acknowledged the plaintiffs, that is the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Parish of Larne and the Diocese of Down and Connor, to be the full legal and beneficial owners of the property but granted Reverend Buckley a licence to live in the property until certain events including his death transpired.

[7] The agreement also acknowledged that the defendant, Mr Yanga, lived in the property at the invitation of Reverend Buckley. 

It is understood that Reverend Buckley married the defendant in a civil ceremony in and around 2010 and, as I have said, he died on 17 May 2024. 

By that stage he had become a suspended priest in the Catholic church.

[8] Under the terms of the caretaker agreement, the deceased’s estate was to deliver up possession of the property within three months of the death of Reverend Buckley, that would be 17 August 2024 and, thereafter, there was correspondence between the plaintiffs’ solicitors and the defendant asking for vacant possession which we have seen and that has not come to pass.

[9] The position in this case, which is an unassailable, unambiguous legal position is that the defendant, now appellant, Mr Yanga, has never been a tenant of the property nor has he ever had any right to reside in the property other than at the invitation of Reverend Buckley as a licensee. 

That is the issue that the judge had to deal with at first instance. 

[10] We have read the transcript of the judge’s ruling. 

It is, firstly, not suggested that he has failed to take any relevant matter into account or failed to afford the parties an opportunity to make their case. Parts of this ruling are important to restate. 

In particular, at page 3 of the transcript the judge sets out the background history as I have set out. 

He then refers to that the plaintiffs’ case that Mr Yanga does not have any legal right. He refers to the fact that no legal right has been articulated within the replying affidavit which Mr Yanga has provided. 

He summarises that it is on that basis that the plaintiffs sought summary relief in the form of an order under Order 113 for possession of the property. 

[11] At the lower court and, again, at this court, Mr Yanga makes a point in relation to his relationship with Reverend Buckley and whether or not that has influenced this exercise and should, in fact, influence this court. 

What the judge said about that is at page 4 of the transcript as follows:

“So you can be in no better position than Bishop Buckley was and that agreement was terminable upon his death.  So upon his death, his rights obviously ended but your right to be in the property ended notwithstanding the fact that you were married, that’s it. He had no right to be there beyond that and, therefore, you have no right to be there beyond it. So, in short, you have no defence to the claim that is being brought by the Parish for possession of the property regardless of whether you are married or not to Bishop Buckley. So, you don’t have a defence and I am going to grant the order sought.”

[12] The judge then gave a stay of execution for one month to allow vacation of the property but said after that Mr Yanga had to vacate.

[13] The judge goes on to repeat this position of the bottom of page 5 of the transcript in answer to Mr Yanga, who raised his civil partnership or marital status, and the judge said:

“Your marital status to him does not protect you in these circumstances, because he was a licensee he had no legal interest in the property either, he was there basically as a caretaker as the document says and the domestic chores to which you refer, the housekeeping, gardening etc, those are consistent with a caretaker’s agreement.” 

[14] The above is a synopsis of the background and the judge’s ruling. The judge had the benefit of hearing from the parties. 

He also had the summons which grounded the application of 1 November 2024 and the supporting affidavit of Gareth Hughes of 31 October 2024. 

In addition, he had a reply from Mr Yanga dated 4th December 2024. 

We have also read those documents, and, in addition, we have position papers which have been filed by both parties for this appeal. 

This appeal

[15] The notice of appeal which we then turn to relies on the fact that Mr Yanga is, as he describes himself, a legal husband of the deceased Reverend Patrick Buckley, and the property is his house. 

This is expanded upon in the position statement to some extent whereby Mr Yanga states the Catholic church should have issued him with a tenancy agreement and he also makes a subsidiary point that this court should not hear the case that it should be heard in England.

[16] Dealing with the latter point, which is a jurisdictional point, there is no basis whatsoever to suggest that this court does not have jurisdiction or is biased in some way given the subject matter of this case. 

We wholly reject that aspect of the argument that Mr Yanga put before us and have proceeded to decide the case.

[17] The substantive points on appeal, are not well articulated in the appeal notice. 

However, as we see it, they really boil down to a reiteration of the arguments made at the lower court and the ultimate question for us on appeal is whether the judge was wrong in his assessment. 

We are quite clear that the judge was entirely right to make the order that he did and was not wrong for the following core reasons which are matters of law.

[18] Firstly, the occupation of this property following the disagreements between Reverend Buckley and the church were on the basis of a caretaker agreement. 

That document shows that the Reverend Buckley had a licence to occupy the property only which ended on his death. 

[19] Secondly, the caretaker agreement shows that legal and beneficial ownership of the property remained with the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Parish of Larne and the Catholic diocese of Down and Connor. 

[20] Thirdly, it shows clearly that the licensee’s estate agreed to deliver up vacant possession of the premises to the licensors within three months of the death of the licensee. 

[21] Fourthly, the licensees had informed the licensors that Mr Yanga resided at the premises and that he did so at the invitation of Reverend Buckley. 

[22] The judge covered all of the above territory and made an order which is unassailable in law given the foundational facts of this case. 

There is absolutely no basis upon which an appeal could be successful in this case and we, therefore, dismiss the appeal and affirm the order of the judge.

Conclusion

[23] At the lower court the judge allowed for one month by way of stay. 

We will order the possession on or before 9 June 2025. 

That will allow Mr Yanga to get his affairs in order and is proportionate. 

We will make an order of costs against Mr Yanga as that follows the event given the appeal has been dismissed.

Prophets & Losses: Challenges continue for the Vatican Bank

The Vatican Bank – or the Institute for the Works of Religion, as it's officially known – has long represented at the heart of the Catholic Church’s financial might. 

As of the end of 2023 – the most recent data we have on the bank’s balance sheet – it held assets worth €5.4 billion.

That would include the church’s money, but also the deposits of its customers – including priests and bishops. 

And much of that money would have been invested in the likes of bonds, stocks and shares and securities – all following what the bank calls 'faith consistent investing’, which is their attempt to only invest in things that align with the church’s social doctrine. 

That includes environmentally-friendly companies and projects that show a respect for human life.

As of 2023 the bank also held around €37m worth of gold – which was mainly left with the US Federal Reserve for safe keeping. 

Meanwhile it had around €10.7m worth of medals and precious coins, which were held in the Vatican Bank vaults.

And, from all of this, it made a profit of more than €30.5m in 2023.

It should be said, though, that the bank’s assets do not represent the total net worth of the church – far from it.

For example there’s a separate entity called the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See – or APSA for short – which manages most of the Vatican’s property interests. 

Its importance has grown in recent years and, as of 2023, it controlled around 5,000 real estate units, worth around €2.7 billion.

On top of that you also have all of the relics, sculptures, paintings and jewelry that is in Vatican City, and other places around the world. 

All of this together would add billions more onto the church’s balance sheet – beyond what we know about the Vatican Bank’s holdings.

But the fact that we know much at all about the bank is a relatively new thing, isn’t it?

Yes – the Vatican Bank only started to publish annual reports in 2013. 

Before then there was very little public information about what the bank was in control of and what it was doing with the assets it had.

And that was very much the aim of Pope Pius XII when he established it in the 1940s – he wanted to add an extra layer of secrecy to the Vatican’s finances. 

That was particularly important in the context of the ongoing war - the Vatican was essentially sitting in the middle of the Allies and Axis powers, and one of the few states able to do business with both.

And from the outset the Vatican Bank wasn’t answerable to any regulations from any other country, it didn’t publish annual results and it didn’t pay any taxes. 

And while it was only meant to take on members of the church as customers, this relatively unique set up meant it became very attractive to wealthy Italian laymen too – especially those who wanted to keep a low profile on some of their business dealings.

As a result, controversy and suspicion has hung around the bank from its inception.

Tell me about some of the controversies...

There’s probably two big ones in its history – one involving Michele Sindona, and the other involving Roberto Calvi and Banco Ambrosiano.

Michele Sindona was an Italian banker who was also good friends with Giovanni Battista Montini – who went on to become Pope Paul VI. 

As a result, when the Vatican Bank was looking to diversity its assets and investments in the 1960s, it took Sindona on as a financial advisor.

But Sindona wasn’t the pencil-pushing banker type – he was also involved with the subversive masonic lodge Propaganda Due, and was working with the likes of the American and Italian Mafias – including the Gambino family in New York – helping them to launder drug money and avoid tax. 

Eventually, that would often see him transfer Mafia money to Switzerland via the Vatican Bank as a way of evading authorities and regulators.

Sindona also spent a lot of time and money buying up banks of his own to create a network to funnel his money through - but when one of his US companies collapsed in 1974, his whole empire fell apart. 

That exposed some of the dealings the Vatican Bank was a conduit for – and ended up costing them tens of millions of dollars in the process.

After his empire’s collapse Sindona had the lawyer tasked with investigating his business killed – for which he was eventually given a life sentence in 1985. Days later he ingested poison and died.

What about Roberto Calvi?

He was managing director of Banco Ambrosiano - which was a Catholic Italian bank first established in the late 19th Century, which grew to at one stage become the country’s second biggest lender.

The Vatican Bank became Banco Ambrosiano’s largest shareholder – and the workings of two became quite closely linked for a time. 

Not least because the then president of the Vatican Bank, Archbishop Paul Marcinkus – who hailed from Chicago - was friends with Roberto Calvi.

His work with the Vatican Bank earned him the nickname ‘God’s Banker’ – but, like Sindona, he was also one of the mafia’s bankers, as well as a member of the Propaganda Due masonic lodge. 

And like Sindona, Calvi often used the Vatican Bank as an intermediary in the large, illegal transactions he was making on behalf of the Mafia.

The Italian central bank eventually became suspicious of what he was doing – and launched an investigation in the late 1970s, which identified billions of lire worth of illegal transactions. 

And when they dug even deeper, they found massive debts of as much as $1.5 billion – in the bank. 

Bear in mind this was 1982 – so it’s the equivalent of around $5 billion today. 

And there was correspondence between Calvi and people in the Vatican which showed that senior figures in the church were aware of the kinds of transactions it was involved in.

Following the bank’s collapse the Vatican agreed to pay more than $220m to Banco Ambrosiano’s creditors in recognition of its "moral involvement" in the collapse – though it never took full responsibility for what went on.

Calvi, meanwhile, fled Italy on a false passport – but just over a week later his body was found hanging under Blackfriar’s Bridge in London. 

He had stones and thousands of dollars of cash in his pockets. 

It was initially deemed a suicide but an Italian court later ruled it was a murder – the theory being that the mafia had him killed in revenge for the money he had lost them through the collapse of his bank.

The president of the Vatican Bank, Archbishop Marcinkus, meanwhile, who had worked with both Calvi and Sindona, didn’t step aside from his role until 1989. 

Seven years after Banco Ambrosiano’s failure. 

Italian authorities did issue a warrant for his arrest in 1987 but he claimed diplomatic immunity and waited out in Vatican city for a time, until the warrant expired.

He eventually died in 2006.

It’s like something out of a movie...

Well you won’t be surprised to learn that there have been multiple movies and books made about these events – be they retellings of the events or theories about what else happened with the players involved.

In fact if the story sounds familiar it may be because you’ve seen Godfather III; it used the dealings of Calvi, Marcinkus and the Vatican Bank as the basis for that film’s central plot, though the names are changed.

In his telling, Francis Ford Coppola also included the conspiracy theory that Pope John Paul I was assassinated because he was set to reform the Vatican Bank and expose the corruption within. 

There have long been questions around his death, which came just 33 days after he was elected pope, but there’s never been any compelling evidence that he was murdered.

So did Archbishop Marcinkus stepping aside bring an end to the Vatican Bank’s controversies?

Not at all – there have been many since then, albeit at a lower level than what we saw with Sindona and Calvi. 

As its unique structure of minimal oversight and no taxes continued for many years, it remained an attractive offshore tax haven for the rich for even after the peak of its controversies.

It was investigated for money laundering in 2010 as a result of some suspicious international transactions, for example. 

Then in 2013, a senior accountant at the bank – Monsignor Nunzio Scarano - was arrested for trying to fly €20m from Switzerland back to Italy. 

He had been under investigation by Italian authorities for a series of transactions where cheques he claimed to be church donations were recycled through the Vatican Bank.

His arrest also led to the resignation of the bank’s director and deputy director a few days later. 

The directors were found liable for mismanagement at the bank – while the monsigner was eventually given a three years sentence for corruption and defamation.

Then in 2014, Vatican authorities flagged their suspicions around an investment in a property development in London – which ultimately lost the bank €200m. 

An investigation into that eventually led to a turn of events that really shook the church, which was the arrest of cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, by Vatican authorities, in 2019.

He had been in charge of the management of the Holy See's funds between 2011 and 2018 – but was eventually convicted of embezzlement and fraud in 2023.

Wasn't fixing this a priority for Pope Francis?

Yes – and while all the recent talk of his legacy didn’t focus much on this, his attempts to reform the Vatican Bank were a significant part of the work he undertook in his time as pope.

In truth the attempt to reform the bank was started by Pope Benedict – he was the one that set them on the path to publishing annual reports, for example. 

And to a degree Pope Francis had little choice but to try to tackle problems at the bank – the case hat led to Monsignor Scarano being arrested happened just a few months into his tenure.

But he did make huge efforts to reform it all the same. 

For example, following a review of its operations, he closed a huge number of dormant accounts the bank held, and forced many of its branches to send their assets back to the Vatican Bank itself in an attempt to simplify and streamline its structure, and make its dealings more transparent.

He also took control away from the likes of cardinals and put it into the hands of people with actual financial expertise – which was a huge issue with the bank from its inception. 

Archbishop Marcinkus, for example, had absolutely no financial training when was put in charge of the bank in the early 1970s. 

To try to deal with that he was sent off to a six week crash course in Harvard – before being handed control of billions of dollars worth of assets.

After the corruption revelations in 2013 and 2014, Pope Francis also took away the bank’s responsibilities for the church’s property assets – giving it instead to APSA. 

He also brought the bank into the European Union’s Single Euro Payments Area – or SEPA – which effectively opened it up to more external oversight and regulation.

As a result of that the reputation of the Vatican Bank has improved dramatically. 

There are now more international banks willing to work with it than was the case just over a decade ago, and just last month its watchdog said that complaints of suspicious activity involving the bank had fallen by a third in 2024.

At the same time, though, there remains an underlying issue with the church’s finances. It had an operating deficit of €83m in 2023, and its pension fund is also said to be facing an ever-growing gap. 

That means there is still a lot of work to do by the bank - and other parts of the Vatican’s financial system – to put the church on a steady footing.

But the continued reform of the bank under Pope Leo is seen to be key to that. 

Many argue that the fall in donations the church has seen in recent years is linked to the fact that people have little trust that their money will be well-handled and well-spent – and it may take time before their faith is restored.

World number one Jannik Sinner meets tennis fan Pope Leo XIV

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner has visited Pope Leo XIV, giving him a tennis racket.

Leo, the first American pope, is an avid tennis player and fan and had said earlier this week that he would be up for a charity match when it was suggested by a journalist.

But at the time, Leo joked “we can’t invite Sinner”, an apparent reference to the English meaning of Sinner’s last name.

By Wednesday, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open, all seemed forgotten.

“It’s an honour,” Sinner said in Italian as he and his parents arrived in a reception room of the Vatican’s auditorium.

Holding one of his rackets and giving Leo another and a ball, the three-time Grand Slam champion suggested a quick volley.

But the Pope looked around at the antiques and said: “Better not.”

Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago, then appeared to joke about his white cassock and its appropriateness for Wimbledon, perhaps a reference to the All England Club’s all-white clothing rule.

He asked how the Italian Open was going.

“Now I’m in the game,” Sinner said. “At the beginning of the tournament, it was a bit difficult.”

Sinner has a quarter-final match on Thursday in his first tournament back after a three-month ban for doping that was judged to be an accidental contamination.

He will next face either freshly crowned Madrid champion Casper Ruud or Jaume Munar.

Sinner is attempting to become the first Italian man to win the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

During the audience, Angelo Binaghi, the head of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, gave Leo an honorary federation card.

“We all felt the passion that Leo XIV has for our sport and this filled us with pride,” Mr Binaghi said in a statement.

“We hope to embrace the Holy Father again soon, maybe on a tennis court.”

The Pope and Sinner posed for photos in front of the Davis Cup trophy that Sinner helped Italy win for the second consecutive time last year.

Also on display in the room was the Billie Jean King Cup trophy won by Italy in 2024, the biggest women’s team event in tennis.

Earlier in the week, after Leo’s first quip about not wanting to invite him, 

Sinner said it was “a good thing for us tennis players” that the new Pope likes to play the sport.

In addition to tennis, Leo is an avid Chicago White Sox baseball fan.

His predecessor, Pope Francis, was a lifelong fan of Buenos Aires football club San Lorenzo.

Anglican church leader urged to resign as bullying scandal drags on

The most senior figure within Scotland’s Anglican church is facing calls to resign over claims he “misled” clergy about a safeguarding scandal.

The Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) is mired in crisis over the future of the Right Rev Anne Dyer, Scotland’s first woman bishop, who was suspended in 2022 amid accusations of bullying.

She was cleared to return to duties last year when officials ruled that it would “no longer be in public interest” to pursue the allegations against her.

The investigation was headed by Paul Reid KC, the church’s legal officer, who found sufficient evidence to “provide a realistic prospect of conviction in respect of each allegation”.

The Rt Rev Mark Strange, the church primus and Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, insisted this entitled Dyer, 67, to return to work.

The Times has seen a letter sent to Strange by other leading figures, which claims the church failed to offer sufficient support to those who complained about Dyer.

“Your letter suggests that necessary offers of support have been made to all parties directly affected,” claims the letter written by Richard Murray, a member of the ministry team at the Donside Churches in Aberdeenshire, and Dr Stephen Goodyear, a lay reader at St Devenick’s Episcopal Church in Bieldside, Aberdeen.

They continued: “We do not consider that this is true. We note that multiple victims and complainers first learnt of the SEC’s decision to dismiss the allegations of abuse against Ms Dyer through the press or from people who had read online coverage of the decision.”

It said: “You callously did not contact multiple alleged victims or otherwise take appropriate steps to safeguard them. This is shameful.”

Goodyear and Murray also claimed Strange failed to adhere to SEC safeguarding guidelines which call for a “formal process … to investigate the allegations and determine their truth or otherwise” if a respondent denies or doesn’t admit to them.

They claimed: “As you must well know … [Reid] did not determine the truth or otherwise of the allegations of abuse against Ms Dyer.

“He indicated that he did not have powers to make such a determination and that such powers lay instead with the clergy discipline tribunal. The SEC allowed Ms Dyer to return to work in a diocese in which multiple people had complained that they had been abused by her.”

Lord Glenarthur, a member of the church and a former minister of state for Scotland, said Strange should step down. 

“The primus, as spiritual leader of his flock, is now in a position which I and others find increasingly untenable,” he said.

Murray, a former chartered surveyor, added: “Bishop Mark must accept responsibility for this shameful state of affairs and consider his position.”

Daphne Audsley, the church’s assistant safeguarding officer, has confirmed that she was not consulted before it was announced that Dyer had been reinstated.

John Wyllie, the SEC’s head of safeguarding, said he did not become aware of the decision until two weeks later, when he returned from annual leave.

Peter Ferguson-Smyth, a lay minister with St Olaf’s Episcopal Church in Kirkwall, Orkney, has written to clergy members alerting them to “safeguarding failures” in relation to Dyer’s reinstatement. 

“The safeguarding provisions exist to protect the vulnerable, ensure accountability and create a safe environment where all can worship without fear,” he said.

“However, in the case of Bishop Anne we have seen these principles ignored, leaving a trail of pain, distress and broken trust. The SEC has repeatedly refused to explain how the necessary impartial determination has been made or how alleged victims are being safeguarded.”

Ferguson-Smyth accused Strange of “serious lapses of judgment”. 

“In what universe is it morally acceptable to uncover evidence of abuse, yet decide not to examine that evidence and allow the alleged perpetrator to continue unchallenged?” he asked.

Prison service negotiated with bishop rather than unions on new pay structure for chaplains

The Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service (IPS) negotiated directly with a bishop rather than trade unions on the introduction of lay chaplains on inferior terms and conditions, a Civil Service arbitration board has been told. 

The board, in a report finalised last December, but now published by the Oireachtas, found the negotiations on the pay of the lay pastor role by the IPS were conducted outside of the public-service pay deal that was then in place.

Plans for new Lidl in Clare approved despite Catholic priest’s objections

A new Lidl in Clare has been given the go-ahead this week as plans are approved for a branch of the supermarket to be built in the village of Sixmilebridge.

An application was put forward by the chain in 2024 to Clare County Council for the construction of a single storey, discount foodstore spanning a gross floor area of 2,290sqms.

Plans would also involve construction of surface level car parking spaces, including electrical vehicle (EV) charging spaces and pre-wiring other spaces to accommodate future EV parking, cycle stands, trolley bay canopy, hard and soft landscaping and all advertising signage including a “flagpole” sign at the entrance.

The development also includes car parking and an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing point at the south west corner of the site.

The development faced opposition from local residents when plans were first put forward back in 2024, when prominent Catholic priest Fr Harry Bohan told Clare County Council in a submission that Sixmilebridge “is changing fast, probably too fast. Our local, human, social values are threatened”.

In the objection submitted to the council he said: “We need our local shops and businesses to survive, always did. When they are threatened, we need our community to be aware of that threat.”

Fr Bohan asked: “Are The Bridge people well enough serviced by discount stores in the surrounding area?”

The plans were approved by Clare County Council subject to 16 conditions.

Pope Leo XIV visits headquarters of his Augustinian order

Pope Leo XIV has celebrated mass and had lunch with members of his Augustinian religious order, slipping into the congregation’s headquarters outside St Peter’s Square where he served for 12 years as superior.

“The atmosphere was of great fraternity,” said the Rev Gabriele Pedicino, head of the Augustinians’ Italian branch.

“You really always have to practice and remember that he is now the Pope, because he puts you at ease and has this closeness that always impresses me.”

Leo arrived in a black vehicle at around lunchtime at the Agostinianum, the pontifical institute that also serves as the Rome-based residence and headquarters of the Order of St Augustine. Leo left shortly before 3pm.

The ethos of the order, which includes a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others, is traced to the fifth-century St Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity.

The former Rev Robert Prevost, history’s first American Pope, was twice elected superior of the order, serving as general prior from 2001 to 2013.

The order was formed in the 13th century as a community of mendicant friars — dedicated to poverty, service and evangelisation and inspired by the saint.

Since his May 8 election, Leo has repeatedly emphasised he is a “son of St Augustine” and quoted from the saint.

He visited an Augustinian-run Marian sanctuary south of Rome on Saturday in his first outing as Pope, and during his first greeting to the world, Leo wore a pectoral cross given to him by his order that contained relics of St Augustine.

Leo, the first Augustinian Pope, has also kept as his papal coat of arms and motto, In Illo uno unum. 

The words were pronounced by St Augustine in a sermon to explain that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one”.

The emblem on the coast of arms is that of the Augustinian order: a pierced flaming heart and a book, representing the Scriptures.

Rev Pedicino said he expected Leo to apply Augustine’s teaching about communion and unity in diversity in his new ministry as Pope.

“Diversity isn’t a danger or something negative,” he said of Augustine’s teaching. “So I think the Pope will work so that inside the church and out, the ‘other’ is increasingly seen not as a danger if different, but as someone to love and who enriches our life and makes it more beautiful.”

Son of Tuam survivor 'over the moon' to secure funds to buy mother's home

A man who was reunited with his birth mother, a survivor of one of Ireland’s most notorious mother and baby homes, has raised more than €70,000 to buy her home.

Patrick Naughton, 70, from Ealing, west London, was taken from his mother, Christina “Chrissie” Tully, from the Tuam mother and baby home in Co Galway in 1954, just weeks after she gave birth to him aged 24.

Mr Naughton, who moved to the UK with his adoptive parents aged 13, was reunited with Ms Tully, now 93, in 2013.

In a bid to help his birth mother, whom he said “never had anything in her life”, Mr Naughton set up a fundraiser to help her buy her council home, which was valued at €50,000.

Last week Ms Tully’s story was picked up by the New York Times and since then their fundraiser has reached more than €71,000, hitting their target.

“Chrissie is stunned – the penny hasn’t dropped yet,” Mr Naughton said.

“She never believed it would happen in her lifetime.

“I just can’t thank everybody enough. It means the world and the earth to both of us.

“We had a wonderful woman in San Diego who was moved by our story and she donated $50,000 (€44,800). I’m just over the moon.”

Ms Tully, who had given birth to another boy in 1949, when she was 18, via Caesarean section, was told by doctors at the time that he had died.

But she believes her son, whom she named Michael, is still alive.

As many as 68,000 people went through the religious-run mother and baby homes. Women’s babies were forcibly taken from them and adopted.

Up to 9,000 children died in institutions across the country, in appalling conditions.

Mr Naughton said he had set up the fundraiser to buy her home from Galway council in case Michael ever returned like he did.

He said he and his mother have searched “high and low” in recent years for records of her first child, but have been unable to find anything.

He said Ms Tully received a record from a Freedom of Information request that said the baby had been “returned to Tuam home” after he died.

In 2014 it was revealed that hundreds of babies had been “indecently buried” in a sewage tank at the Tuam mother and baby home.

The research by local historian Catherine Corless found that 796 babies and young children had died and been “indecently buried in a defunct sewage system” at the home between 1925 and 1961.

Ms Tully, who said “he could be in that pit in Tuam, but he could also have been adopted”, said she wanted to keep her home for after she had died, in case he came looking for her, like Mr Naughton.

After they hit their fundraising target Mr Naughton said: “We will get a plaque and we will put it up over the door and call it ‘Michael’s home’.”

Mr Naughton, who regularly travels to Ireland to visit his birth mother said: “I am so happy because all of her life she’s never had or owned anything.

“She worked in a priest’s house for 13 years and then she worked in another home for 26 years simply because they were live-in jobs as she had nowhere to go.

“That’s the icing on the cake is that she can spend the last few years of life knowing that she’s an equal.

“Thanks isn’t enough for the people that have done this.

“I just hope and pray to God Michael does come back.”

Pope Leo XIV calls for release of imprisoned journalists and is invited to Ukraine by Zelenskyy

POPE LEO XIV has been invited by Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make an apostolic visit to the country.

“Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people,” said Zelenskyy.

In a post to social media, Zelenskyy said he held his first conversation with the new pope.

Zelenskyy said he thanked Leo XIV for his support of Ukraine and that he “deeply values” his calls for a just and lasting peace”.

“We also discussed the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia,” said Zelenskyy.

“Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families.”

Zelenskyy said he told Leo XIV that “starting today, a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days must begin” and that he “reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for further negotiations in any format, including direct talks”.

Meet the press

Elsewhere, the new pope held his first audience with journalists from the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican this morning.

He expressed his “solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking to report the truth”.

He added that the “precious gift of free speech and of the press” must be safeguarded.

The Audience Hall is just steps from St Peter’s Basilica and the new pope spoke under the watchful eye of a sculpture called ‘The Resurrection’.

The sculpture is intended to capture the fear of living under the threat of nuclear war by depicting Christ rising from a nuclear crater.

‘Suffering of imprisoned journalists’

As well as being the first pope from North America, Leo XIV is also the first pope since Pope Adrian IV in the 12th century to come from an English speaking country.

And while the new pope made a brief quip in English, the rest of his address was made in Italian – the working language of the Vatican.

When he appeared, there were chants of “viva el Papa” and the applause lasted for over a minute.

Leo XIV then said, in English: “They say when the audience claps at the beginning, it doesn’t matter much.

“If you’re still awake at the end and you still want to applaud, thank you very much.”

Then turning to Italian, Leo XIV called for the release of imprisoned journalists.

“Let me therefore reiterate the Church’s solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking to report the truth,” said Leo XIV.

“I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives – the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed.

“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community.”

He also called on the press to use communication which “does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition, and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it”.

“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred,” said Leo XIV.

“Let us disarm words, and we will help disarm the world.”

He added: “The way we communicate is of fundamental importance. We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images; we must reject the paradigm of war.”

The new pope also called for the “precious gift of free speech and of the press” to be safeguarded and remarked that “only informed individuals can make free choices”.

He also noted the “immense potential” of Artificial intelligence but added that it requires “responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity”.

The new pope is a member of the Augustinian Order and quoting St Augustine he remarked: “Let us live well, and the times will be good. We are the times.”

He also thanked journalists for their work in covering the death and funeral of Pope Francis, the conclave, and his own first days in office.

Meanwhile, he praised the media for moving “beyond stereotypes and cliches through which we often interpret Christian life and the life of the Church itself”.

Signing baseballs and blessing babies

The first meeting with journalists can give a good indication as to how the new pope will carry himself.

This morning, Leo XIV acted much more like Francis than Pope Benedict XIV.

A clip has been doing the rounds on social media of Leo XIV attending a White Sox baseball game in 2005 and the new pope this morning signed a baseball that a journalist was holding.

And instead of exiting stage left as Benedict XVI did in 2005, Leo XIV left the audience hall by walking up the central aisle.

The new pope blessed babies, accepted gifts, shook people’s hands, and fielded a question from the Peruvian press – Leo XIV is a citizen of Peru having spent over 20 years in the country.

When Benedict XVI greeted journalists for the first time, he waved mechanically and departed after around 15 minutes without greeting any individual reporters.

But with Pope Francis in 2013, there was a very noticeable step change.

He called for a “poor Church for the poor” and explained that he chose his papal name because of St. Francis of Assisi, who Francis described as a “man of poverty and a man of peace”.

He also spoke about the conclave and revealed that one Cardinal approached Francis when he was elected and “told me not to forget the poor”.

“And that word went in here,” said Francis, pointing to his head.

But while Leo XIV kept to the script this morning, Francis spoke mostly off the cuff and was making jokes.

He also greeted the service dog of a visually impaired journalist.

Francis also offered a silent “cordial” blessing to the journalists gathered, acknowledging that many gathered were not Catholic.

“Since many of you are not members of the Catholic Church, and others are not believers, I cordially give this blessing silently, to each of you, respecting the conscience of each, but in the knowledge that each of you is a child of God.”

Other items on new pope’s agenda

Leo XIV’s next major item is a meeting with the Vatican’s Diplomatic Corps on Friday, 16 May.

And on Sunday, 18 May, an inaugural Mass will be held in St Peter’s Square to formally mark the beginning of his pontificate.

From there, Leo will hold his first General Audience on 21 May – these are held on Wednesday mornings at St Peter’s Square.

And on Saturday 24 May he will meet with the Roman Curia, the government of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City State employees.

The following day, Sunday 25 May, the new pope’s routine will be settling into place and he will deliver a Regina Caeli prayer from St Peter’s.

Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity with imprisoned journalists

Pope Leo XIV has expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press”.

He spoke in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.

Leo received a standing ovation as he entered the Vatican auditorium for his first meeting with representatives of the general public.

The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, elected in a 24-hour conclave last week, called for journalists to use words for peace, to reject war and to give voice to the voiceless.

Leo expressed solidarity with journalists around the world who have been jailed for trying to seek and report the truth. Drawing applause from the crowd, he asked for their release.

“The church recognises in these witnesses – I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives — the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices,” he said.

“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.”

Leo opened the meeting with a few words in English, joking that if the crowd was still awake and applauding at the end, it mattered more than the ovation that greeted him.

Turning to Italian, he thanked the journalists for their work covering the papal transition and urged them to use words of peace.

“Peace begins with each one of us: in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others,” he said.

“In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.”

After his brief speech, in which he reflected on the power of words to do good, he greeted some of the journalists in the front rows and then shook hands with the crowd as he exited the audience hall down the central aisle. He signed a few autographs and posed for a few selfies.

Journalists later shared some of the few words they exchanged with him, including hints that Vatican plans are going ahead for Leo to travel to Turkey to commemorate an important event in Catholic-Orthodox relations: the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council.

Journalists also offered to play doubles with Leo in tennis, or to organize a charity match. Leo, a regular tennis player, seemed game “but we can’t invite Sinner,” he joked, referring to the world number one Jannik Sinner, who is playing just up the Tiber at the Italian Open.

It was in the 2013 audience with journalists who covered the election of history’s first Latin American pope that Pope Francis explained his choice of name, after St Francis of Assisi, and his desire for a “church which is poor and for the poor”.

During his 12-year pontificate, Francis too spoke about the value of journalism and as recently as January, he appealed for the release of imprisoned journalists during a Holy Year event with the media.

Over half of priests in Elphin Diocese are from abroad

The area includes a lot of the Shannonside region, including Boyle, Castlerea, Roscommon town and Athlone.

Over half of the priests working in parishes in the Diocese of Elphin are from abroad.

The area includes a lot of the Shannonside region, including Boyle, Castlerea, Roscommon town and Athlone.

Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, said he would not be against allowing priests to marry, after a new Pope was appointed last week. 

Boyle parish priest, Fr Gerry Hanly, reflected on the drop in Irish priests during his homily on Vocations Sunday.

Pope Leo calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza in first Sunday blessing

Pope Leo XIV called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid, in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff.

“Never again war,” he declared to the masses gathered below his balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.

Recalling the end of the Second World War 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it is a “third world war in pieces”.

Leo also highlighted that Sunday is Mother’s Day in many countries and wished all mothers, “including those in heaven”, a happy Mother’s Day.

The crowd, filled with marching bands in town for a special Jubilee weekend, erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St Peter’s Basilica tolled.

Earlier on Sunday, Leo celebrated a private Mass near the tomb of St Peter.

The Vatican said the Pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev Alejandro Moral Anton, in the grottoes underneath St Peter’s. 

It is the traditional burial place of St Peter – the apostle who is considered the be the first pope.

The area, which is normally open to the public, also contains the tombs of past popes, including Benedict XVI.

Hours before Leo was to appear to the public, St Peter’s Square was filing up with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, joined by multiple marching bands that made grand entrances into the square.

Leo on Saturday prayed before the tomb of Pope Francis, located at the St Mary Major Basilica.

The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected the 267th Pope on Thursday, the first American pontiff. He appeared to the world from the same loggia at St Peter’s Basilica, offering a message of peace and unity.

Vatican Unveils Pope Leo XIV’s Official Portrait and Signature, Returns to Traditional Papal Elements

The Vatican unveiled Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature Saturday, revealing the American pontiff’s embrace of traditional papal elements just two days after his historic election.

The formal portrait shows the 69-year-old pope wearing the red mozzetta (short cape), embroidered stole, white rochet, and golden pectoral cross — traditional papal vesture that present a visual contrast to the simpler style preferred by his predecessor.

Vatican Media published the portrait alongside the pope’s personal signature, which includes the notation “P.P.” — an abbreviation traditionally used in papal signatures that stands for “Pastor Pastorum” (“Shepherd of Shepherds”). 

Pope Francis had departed from this convention, signing simply as “Franciscus.”

This return to traditional elements accompanies Leo’s papal coat of arms. 

The heraldic design features a fleur-de-lis on a blue background, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, while the right side displays the Sacred Heart of Jesus resting on a book against a cream background.

This is based on the traditional symbol of the Augustinian Order.

The fleur-de-lis has particular significance in Catholic iconography as a symbol of purity and the Virgin Mary.

The three-petaled lily design has also been connected to the Holy Trinity. It is prominently featured in French heraldry, which may hold personal meaning for the pope, who has French ancestry through his father’s lineage.

Beneath the shield runs a scroll displaying the pope’s episcopal motto: “In illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”), a phrase taken from St. Augustine’s commentary on Psalm 127. The motto reflects Leo’s roots in the Augustinian order and his commitment to unity in the Church.

These profound presentations of papal symbols — the portrait, signature, and coat of arms — traditionally occur in the early days of a new pontificate and provide insights into the theological priorities and pastoral style the new pope intends to emphasize.

Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, made history on May 8, becoming the first U.S.-born pope.

Mary McAleese is right to call out Catholic Church over its exclusion of women from ordination (Opinion)

Mary McAleese is reported as saying the exclusion of women from ordination is based on “fake theology”. 

Ireland’s former President has formal qualifications in both civil and canon law but not in theology.

Her legal training, teaching and practice, however, has given her wide experience in pinpointing invalid reasoning. Her standing and her following will ensure that this direct challenge to papal teaching will influence many Catholics.

Is she right in this case? If the Church authorities have the courage to debate her contention, I think they will have great difficulty in defending the magisterial documents that comprise the relevant teaching:

1. The Declaration Inter Insigniores: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) 1976

and

2. The Apostolic Letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis: Pope John Paul II, 1994, which relies heavily on the earlier Declaration.

While Pope John Paul II insisted that the faithful accept the new teaching, that “the Church has no authority whatsoever” to admit women to the priesthood, he stopped short of invoking papal infallibility.

Historically, women were widely presumed to be naturally inferior. This was codified in Roman law, on which Church law was based.

The contribution of women during two world wars, their achievements in higher education, aviation, the arts and in the suffragette movement together ended this worldwide prejudice in most places, except regrettably, in the Church.

The scope of infallibility, as defined at Vatican I, had been exaggerated in multiple small steps to encompass virtually the entire magisterium (teaching authority of the Church).

Clergy dutifully dubbed this “creeping infallibility”, although it was really pseudo-infallibility. This meant that any correction of earlier imperfections could jeopardise the authority gained from Vatican I.

After that Council, the bureaucracy no longer spoke for a pope who was primus inter pares, but for one that was infallible and was defined as overseeing everything in the Church. 

The bureaucracy thus leapfrogged the bishops and became their superior and the effective government of a centralised Church. 

Bureaucracies are inherently selfish, and St Paul identifies selfishness as the opposite of the Spirit. No Christian Church should be governed by its bureaucracy.

By exaggerating the scope of its infallibility and glorifying selected first millennium precedents, Rome has narrowed its own options in dealing with third millennium problems. A change now risks undermining the aura of never being wrong.

Canon Law 138 recognises the principle that authority to do something implies authority to do whatever is conducive to its achievement. In telling us that the Church has “no authority whatsoever” to ordain women, Pope John Paul II had to disregard the shortage of vocations, which is impacting both of Christ’s parting mandates: “do this” and “make disciples of all”.

Space constraints mean I can only give examples of the many logical fallacies and the one outrageous deception common to both magisterial documents.

Equivocation: At one point in the argument, the word “apostle” indicates a precise and specific calling, but later it is expanded to include almost every significant office in the Church.

Non sequitur: It simply does not follow that the omission of women when Christ was appointing apostles should debar women from being priests, deacons or other Church officers.

Unwarranted assumption: There are no grounds for the assumption that fidelity to Christ requires that the Church must never do something that he never did. If that were true, the Church would have “no authority whatsoever” to ordain men as individual priests. Christ never did that.

Christians were a priestly people long before ordination of priests was introduced. The individual, mediating, sacrificing, Christian priest did not become the norm until the fifth century, subsequent to the Edict of Thessalonica in 380, and it owed a lot to the pagan Roman priesthood.

The redaction facilitated speculation that Christ was honouring some unspoken, but binding, limitation in God’s eternal plan for the Church

Outrageous deception: In 1975, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Donald Coggan, wrote to Pope Paul VI alerting him to the trend in Anglican opinion towards the ordination of women. To avoid creating a new obstacle to future unity, he suggested that the pope might accept women’s ordination as “within a diversity of legitimate traditions”.

Paul asked the Pontifical Biblical Commission for scriptural guidance. When it was on the verge of reporting that New Testament studies could not settle the matter, Paul ended the correspondence without agreeing. Next, he asked the CDF to find the proof text he needed.

Not surprisingly, they too failed. But to meet the pope’s need, they manufactured one. They redacted the Gospel, Mk. 3:14, omitting the crucial job description for Apostles: “and to be sent out to preach”. This removed the explanation of women’s exclusion. Appointing women as itinerant preachers in first century Palestine would have been idiotic.

The redaction facilitated speculation that Christ was honouring some unspoken, but binding, limitation in God’s eternal plan for the Church. Conveniently, the same speculation offers a pseudo-divine justification for continuing the discrimination against women indefinitely after humanity has rejected it.

Disguise traditional prejudice, blame God instead.

If a theology requires rewriting Scripture and flouting logic, then “fake” it is. And, in speaking truth to power, Mary McAleese is being truly prophetic.

Pope Leo's pectoral cross holds relics of Saints Augustine and Monica

The cross, which Pope Leo XIV wore when he first appeared to the world from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica, is rich in symbolism. His pectoral cross containing relics of saints linked to the Augustinian order: including those of Saint Augustine and the saint's mother, Saint Monica.

At the centre of the cross is a relic of Saint Augustine, the great Church Father who taught that looking inward is key to encountering God and understanding His Word - something to be embraced with both faith and reason, so it may be shared with others. 

Alongside the relic of the Bishop of Hippo - spiritual father of the Augustinian Order and enduring guide through his Rule and writings - are relics of four other saints: Monica, Thomas of Villanova, Blessed Anselmo Polanco, and Venerable Giuseppe Bartolomeo Menochio.

The relics were chosen by Fr Josef Sciberras, Postulator General of the Augustinian Order, as a present from the General Curia to their confrère, Cardinal Robert Prevost, when he was created cardinal on 30 September 2023. Each relic represents a figure whose life reflects a key aspect of sanctity within the Augustinian family.

Speaking to Vatican Media, Fr Sciberras said he was overjoyed at the election of the new Pope. He recalled that Cardinal Prevost was "very moved" when the cross was given to him during a celebration at the refectory of the International College of Saint Monica. He knew that he would be carrying close to his heart relics of both Saint Augustine and his mother, Monica.

Fr Sciberras said: "The day before the conclave, I sent him a message, encouraging him to wear the cross we had given him, for the protection of Saints Augustine and Monica. I don't know whether it was because of my message or not, but when I saw he was wearing it when taking the oath - and again when he stepped out onto the balcony of the basilica - I was deeply moved."

The fragment of Saint Augustine's bone is a reminder of the Order of Saint Augustine, established by the Apostolic See in 1244. Over the centuries, the Order has followed his ideal of community life, apostolic service, spirituality, and study. 

The relic of Saint Monica highlights the deep and enduring bond between Augustine and his mother. Hers was a life marked by strength and perseverance, and through her tears and tireless prayers, she helped bring about her son's conversion. Augustine praised her virtues in his Confessions, seeing them as gifts from God.

Pope Francis had a particular devotion to Saint Monica, and as both cardinal and Pope, he would often visit her tomb in the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Rome's Campo Marzio. For the Augustinian Order, Monica's life and her son's path to conversion and consecration are deeply intertwined - cornerstones of Augustinian spirituality.

Saint Thomas of Villanova, who served as Archbishop of Valencia in the 15th and 16th centuries, was a major reformer of religious life and a true shepherd, one who "smelled of his sheep," to borrow a phrase used often by Pope Francis. He was known for his tireless care for the poor and his support of missions in the New World. A brilliant theologian, he also founded a seminary in Valencia in 1550, which still exists today, even before the Council of Trent's reforms on priestly formation.

Blessed Anselmo Polanco, Bishop of Teruel, was martyred during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). He remained steadfast in his duty to his people until the end, once declaring, "As long as even one of my flock remains, I will stay." Loyal both to the Pope and to his people, he was killed for his unshakable faith and Gospel witness.

Venerable Giuseppe Bartolomeo Menochio, Bishop of Porphyry and Prefect of the Apostolic Sacristy, served as Pontifical Sacristan from 1800. During the Napoleonic era, he stood firm in his loyalty to the Pope and endured great hardship for it. 

A central figure in the life of the Church in Rome, he died "in the odour of sanctity" on 25 March 1823. Pope John Paul II recognised his heroic virtues in 1991. Menochio is remembered as a devoted bishop and the only one who refused to swear allegiance to Napoleon, choosing instead to dedicate his life fully to the service of the Roman people.

The relics of Saints Augustine, Monica, Thomas of Villanova, Blessed Polanco, and Venerable Menochio were kept in the lipsanotheca of the Augustinian Postulation. Fr Sciberras entrusted them to relic expert Antonino Cottone, who placed them inside the pectoral cross later presented to the man who would become Pope.

"This cross isn't just a decorative object," Fr Sciberras explains. "It's a visible sign of faith and a clear reflection of pastoral commitment. The relics it contains are all linked to the Augustinian tradition, and each one represents fidelity, reform, service, or martyrdom - virtues that now guide and sustain the ministry of the new Pope."

Cardinal reveals what it was like to be part of conclave

Being sealed off from the world in the conclave to choose the new Pope was "immensely peaceful", England and Wales's most senior Roman Catholic has told the BBC.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, was one of 133 cardinals who were shut into the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and later elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.

He told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that nobody in the highly secretive meeting was saying who to vote for or who to not vote for, adding that there was "no rancour" or "politicking" among the cardinals.

"It was a much calmer process than that and I found it actually a rather wonderful experience," he added.

Conclaves have taken place in the Sistine Chapel since the 15th Century and cardinals must have no communication with the outside world until a new Pope is elected. The recent conclave came after the death of Pope Francis on 21 April.

Cardinal Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, said that his mobile phone was taken off him, adding that he found he had "more time on my hands just to be prayerful, just to reflect, just to be still, rather than being constantly agitated... or prompted by what might be coming in" on his phone.

"For me, one of the experiences of these last few days was to learn a bit of patience, to just take this step by step," he said.

"There was a calmness, a bit of solemnity," he continued, adding that everyone he spoke to when in it was "peaceful and just wanting to do this well".

At 79 years old, Cardinal Nichols was one of the oldest cardinals in the conclave as they must be under 80 to be eligible to vote.

There is no timescale on how long it takes for a conclave to elect a new Pope, with previous ones in 2005 and 2013 lasting two days. The conclave that elected Pope Leo lasted for one day.

"I think it was a short conclave in part because Pope Francis left us with a good inheritance," the cardinal said.

"He left a college of cardinals who were dedicated, who had this desire for the church to be more missionary, and that led us forward actually very, very easily to the decision that we made."

Pope Leo will be formally inaugurated at a mass in St Peter's Square on 18 May, which delegations from countries around the world will attend.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, will attend on behalf of King Charles, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Saturday.

Speaking about the new Pope, Cardinal Nichols said Pope Leo is "very decisive" in a "quiet way", adding that he has seen him "make decisions which disappoint people but don't destroy them".

"A good thing about a pope is if he's able to say, 'No', to you when he thinks something is not right and then give you a hug so you don't go away offended, and I think he's got that ability to do both those things, which is very important."

No phones, lots of prayer: Australian cardinal’s insight into secretive Vatican conclave

Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic has provided a rare insight into the process of electing the new pope, describing the secretive conclave as the highlight of his life.

Cardinal Mykola Bychok – Australia’s sole representative at the recently concluded conclave in Rome – joked it was a relief to shut off the outside world for an extended period.

“That was the best time of my life,” he told reporters with a smile on Friday afternoon, local time.

“Just try … try to turn off your phone at least for 24 hours – my phone was turned off for two and a half days.”

But he added the process did not resemble the Oscar-winning Hollywood film Conclave, which details the political machinations behind the selection of a fictional pope.

“I watched the movie, but actually it was controversial … especially about prayer,” Cardinal Bychok said.

“Have you seen in this movie any of the cardinals pray? Not one time, which is Hollywood style.”

The closeted event, which concluded in Rome on Thursday, resulted in the election of US-born Robert Prevost as the first American pope.

Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he is the first native English-speaker to be appointed to lead the Catholic faith since Adrian IV in the 12th century.

Only cardinals participate in the closed-door election process.

The Ukraine-born, Melbourne-based Cardinal Bychok was appointed to his senior post by Pope Francis in 2024 after other senior Australian Catholic church leaders were controversially overlooked.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has invited Pope Leo to visit Sydney in 2028 for the International Eucharistic Congress – an event set to attract tens of thousands of Catholics from all over the world.

It would be the first sovereign pontiff visit since Pope Benedict XVI came to Sydney for World Youth Day in 2008.

Pope Leo made several previous visits to Australia as leader of the order of St Augustine and had already developed a fondness for the country, one Sydney-based church official said.

“He loved being in the country,” the pope’s longtime friend Father Tony Banks told Sky News.

“He loved the beaches, among the things he actually liked was driving between Brisbane and Sydney and the distance.”

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said he hoped the pontiff would also travel west.

“If he comes, he’ll certainly go to Sydney … but if I get to speak to him between now and then, I’ll certainly be inviting him to come to Western Australia,” he said.

The archbishop said it was still unclear where the former missionary stood on various issues, but he described him as attentive and a deep listener.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said the Chicago native’s “missionary heart” would make him a unifier and peacemaker.