Vatican cancels more Holy Year events as pope remains in hospital

The Vatican on Tuesday cancelled papal audiences throughout the weekend and delegated others to cover for Pope Francis, as the 88-year-old pope remained in hospital with a multi-pronged respiratory infection.

The cancellations put a dampener on forthcoming events of the Vatican’s big Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Catholicism which encourages pilgrims to go to Rome to take part in special jubilee activities.

Expected to draw some 30 million people to Rome, the Holy Year is packed with special papal audiences and Masses throughout 2025, some of which have now been thrown into question given Francis’ illness.

Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital in a “fair” condition on Friday after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened.

On Monday, medical personnel said he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, meaning a mix of viruses, bacteria and possibly other organisms had colonised in his respiratory tract.

The Vatican has given no indication of how long he might remain in hospital, only saying that the treatment of such a “complex clinical picture” would require an “adequate” stay.

Francis once again had a peaceful night, ate breakfast and read the newspapers on Tuesday morning, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. A more detailed medical update was expected later.

On Monday, Francis had resumed doing some work and made his daily call to a Gaza City parish to check in on the Catholic community there.

This Holy Year weekend was dedicated to deacons, the ministry that is a necessary step for men who are preparing to become priests.

Francis had an unrelated audience on Saturday and was supposed to have ordained the deacons during a Mass on Sunday.

The Vatican on Tuesday said the audience was cancelled and that the archbishop who is organising the jubilee would celebrate the Mass.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis has admitted in the past that he is a non-compliant patient (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

It is an arrangement similar to that which the Vatican announced last weekend, when artists had to settle for a cardinal presiding over their special Mass.

The next jubilee events on the calendar that would typically involve the pope are the March 8-9 weekend dedicated to volunteers.

Francis had part of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection as a young man and is prone to bouts of bronchitis in winter.

He has admitted in the past that he is a non-compliant patient, and even his close Vatican aides have said he pushed himself too far even once his bronchitis was diagnosed.

He refused to ease his busy schedule and ignored medical advice to stay indoors during Rome’s chilly winter, insisting on sitting through an outdoor jubilee Mass for the armed forces on February 9 even though he was having trouble breathing.

Francis’ hospital admission has this year has already sidelined him for longer than a 2023 admission for pneumonia.

Vatican cancels Pope Francis's weekend events as he continues to receive hospital treatment

THE VATICAN HAS cancelled two of Pope Francis’s events at the weekend as the 88-year-old continues to receive hospital treatment for bronchitis.

The Holy See had already indicated yesterday that the pontiff, who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday, would stay longer than initially believed due to a “complex” clinical picture.

“Due to the health conditions of the Holy Father, the Jubilee audience of Saturday 22 February is cancelled,” it said in a statement this morning.

It added that the pontiff has delegated a senior Vatican clergyman to celebrate a planned mass on Sunday morning.

The Vatican did not mention the Angelus prayer, which the pope normally delivers at midday on Sunday, but which he missed last weekend.

Francis, the head of the Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to hospital after struggling for several days to read his texts in public.

It is the latest of a series of health issues for the Argentine Jesuit, who has undergone hernia and colon surgery since 2021, and uses a wheelchair for a sore knee.

In his recently released autobiography, Hope, Francis revealed that he felt it was “embarrassing at first to have to use a wheelchair”.

“But old age never arrives by itself, and it must be accepted for what it is,” added Francis.

In a statement yesterday, the Vatican said tests had confirmed “a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in treatment”.

“All the tests carried out until now are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalisation,” it said.

In an update later yesterday evening, it said his condition was unchanged.

“The Holy Father remains without a fever and is proceeding with the prescribed treatment,” it added.

He had on Monday morning “received the Eucharist and subsequently dedicated himself to some work and reading texts”, it said.

“Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness he continues to receive,” it added.

Despite his health troubles, Francis has remained an active pontiff.

In September 2024, he completed a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour, the longest of his papacy by duration and distance.

“I never imagined that I would have made all those journeys to more than sixty countries,” Francis wrote in his memoir.

He also revealed that he “had the feeling” that his papacy would be “brief, no more than three or four years”.

In his memoir, Francis also remarked that “each time a pope takes ill, the winds of a conclave always feel as if they are blowing”.

While Francis said the “reality is that I never thought of resigning”, he acknowledged that resigning is “always a possibility” and that should he resign, he would “remain in Rome, as emeritus bishop”.

Trial of priest accused of indecent assault adjourned

The trial of a priest accused of indecent assault, which was due to begin today at Dungannon Crown Court, has been adjourned.

The court heard he could not be present due to a sensitive personal matter.

Canon Patrick McEntee, with an address at Esker Road, Dromore, Co Tyrone, is accused of indecently assaulting two males in the 1980s.

He was a former teacher in St Michael's College Enniskillen.

The case is due to be mentioned again on Thursday morning.

Canon McEntee remains on continuing bail.

Pope's hospital stay extended due to 'complex clinical picture'

POPE FRANCIS, HOSPITALISED for bronchitis four days ago, faces a “complex clinical picture”, the Vatican said on Monday, indicating that the 88-year-old’s stay will be longer than initially believed.

After initially cancelling events up until today, the Vatican said the pope’s weekly Wednesday audience would not go ahead either.

“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in treatment,” the Vatican said in a statement.

“All the tests carried out until now are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalisation.”

A Vatican source told AFP the pope was receiving oxygen.

A separate source in the pope’s entourage had earlier insisted there was “no alarmism” following his Friday admission to Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters as the new health update was published today that he was in “good humour”.

But the developments will raise fresh concerns about the Argentine pontiff, who has suffered increasing health issues in recent years.

‘Weakened’

Before his admission, after his usual Friday morning meetings, Francis had admitted to difficulty breathing and had asked aides several times to read his speeches aloud on his behalf.

At his weekly general audience last Wednesday, he said he “cannot yet” read his own speeches, adding with a smile: “I hope that next time I can.”

A source within the pope’s entourage said that Francis was admitted after a “very busy” two weeks, during which “he was weakened”.

But the source added: “There is no alarmism.”

Earlier, Bruni said Francis had passed a third “peaceful” night in hospital and this morning had eaten breakfast and read the newspapers.

The pontiff, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has been plagued by health issues but continues to maintain a very busy schedule.

He pulled out of a Good Friday event last year after catching what the Vatican called a “light flu” but went on to lead Easter services as planned.

A year earlier, in March 2023, Francis was admitted to hospital for three nights with bronchitis, which was cured with antibiotics.

Another bout of bronchitis caused him to cancel a December 2023 visit to Dubai to participate in the United Nations COP28 climate change conference.

The pope also underwent a hernia operation in June 2023 and in 2021 underwent surgery for a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine.

He has been using a wheelchair since 2022 because of persistent knee pain and uses a cane during rare moments standing up.

In his recently released autobiography, Hope, Francis revealed that he felt it was “embarrassing at first to have to use a wheelchair”.

“But old age never arrives by itself, and it must be accepted for what it is,” added Francis.

In his memoir, Francis also remarked that “each time a pope takes ill, the winds of a conclave always feel as if they are blowing”.

While Francis said the “reality is that I never thought of resigning”, he acknowledged that resigning is “always a possibility” and that should he resign, he would “remain in Rome, as emeritus bishop”.

Francis has also fallen a couple of times in the past few months, bruising his forearm in January and sporting a large bruise on his right jaw in December, caused by toppling from his bed.

Yet despite his health troubles, Francis remains an active pontiff.

In September 2024, he completed a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour, the longest of his papacy by duration and distance.

“I never imagined that I would have made all those journeys to more than sixty countries,” Francis wrote in his memoir.

He also revealed that he “had the feeling” that his papacy would be “brief, no more than three or four years”.

He added: “Our time is pressing: When you want to seize today, it is already yesterday; and if you want to seize tomorrow, it is not yet there.”

Desperate pleas to save historic Wexford church – ‘It survived Cromwell, we can’t allow it to fall down now’

An iconic building at the heart of Wexford’s skyline, in recent weeks it emerged that The Friary is in trouble. 

Fr Robert Cojoc outlined that there had been significant damage to the transept roof by the tower, resulting in water getting into the walls.

In all, the cost of repairing the historic building, which dates back to he late 17th century, could run in excess of €170,000 – money that is not easy to come by for the Franciscans.

Having attended a meeting around the topic of saving the church and fundraising, Cllr Jim Codd brought the matter before the February meeting of Wexford County Council.

"I was at a meeting to save the Friary,” he said. “This is of huge concern to people. I mean this building survived Cromwell, we can’t allow it to fall down now.

"The Friary has served the people well over the years and provided a place of sanctuary. Now we need to return that kindness and do all we can to save this building.”

It seems organisation will be key and Director of Services Liz Hore suggested that there were potential funding streams available.

"We are aware that The Friary is in need of urgent repair,” she said. “A submission could be made for funding under the Historical Structure Fund.”

Various fundraisers have also popped up online and hopes are high that the campaign will gather momentum and come to a successful conclusion.

Destroyed by Cromwell’s army in 1649, The Friary was rebuilt approximately 43 years later and, save for occasional renovations, has stood untouched ever since.

Father Cojoc, who spoke to the Wexford People in January, said the building is now beginning to show its age.

“The main problem is in the transept by the tower, the ceiling is damaged, there’s water in the walls,” he says. “Some of the slates are slipping, some are cracked, there’s vegetation growing on the roof, it needs to be properly investigated, something needs to be done because the water is getting into the wall from the roof, so the whole roof needs to be checked.

"We need to fix the ceiling and the walls in the transept after we do the roof. I’ve had to close it because if it rains for three days in a row it gets really wet there and on one occasion a big piece of the plaster fell off from the ceiling, I’ve had to put a barrier there so that no one gets close to the door. So, the entire job involves checking all the roof, the transept, the chapel of St Anthony, the sacristy, even the porch roof.

“The quote I received was €170,000, that would pay for the stonemasons, roofers, carpenters, scaffolders, to hire a crane,” said Fr Cojoc.

“I’m trying to fundraise,” says Fr Robert. “We do have some funds here, people have made small donations over the years, but even if we fix the roof it doesn’t mean everything is done; we might need to re-plaster as well.”

Even Prince William doesn’t attend church – it’s time for a new Reformation (Opinion)

The national church “of England” has been meeting this week in London and is in turmoil. 

Does it matter, other than to the 1.7% of the population of England who still worship under its roofs? 

Since the Church of England continues with an “established” role in the life of the nation, the answer is yes.

The argument within the C of E over safeguarding seems endless. It has brought the downfall of one archbishop and is vexing his successor. The church is divided over how to police abuse in future, whether through an independent agency or through internal discipline. This in turn reflects whether it sees itself as a dignified institution of state or just another religious sect.

The church long ago shifted from being the former to the latter, and this is reflected in its decision to opt chiefly for internal discipline. That is precisely why there has never been a better opportunity to acknowledge the shift. One institutional church, for all its historical glory, cannot still rank as an “established” estate of the realm.

Yet in 2023 this church took as its duty the enthroning of Britain’s new head of state. It did so in a coronation of great splendour but it was, to most people, an incomprehensible ritual. Its oaths, garments and sacred oils could as well have been administered at Stonehenge. 

Where hereditary monarchs survive across Europe, such ceremonies are rightly secular. The heir to the British throne, Prince William, is known to be non-churchgoing. It would surely be best to get this all changed in advance of his coronation. The case for a new Reformation is overwhelming. Where is the radical government ready to initiate it?

The statistics of decline are now familiar. 

Average weekly churchgoers numbered just over 1 million in 2009. By 2023 it was down by almost a third to 693,000. Under half of Britons claim to believe in God, down from three-quarters in 1981, while 37% expressly affirm “no religion”. 

Churches in big cities such as Manchester have suffered badly since Covid-19, losing more than half of regular worshippers since 1990. The number of worshippers in the diocese of Bath and Wells has fallen 60% in that time. There are now more practising Muslims in Britain than Anglicans.

The church’s cumbersome hierarchy must lie at the root of many of its ailments. It is like the Royal Navy having more admirals than warships. There are now 108 bishops, of varying degrees of seniority, scattered across 42 dioceses, with bureaucracies that no other sect seems to need. 

Despite this, some 3,500 churches have shut in the past decade. A “save our parish” lobby fights every closure, but to little avail. An empty church is still empty.

None of this need matter to a wider public were it not for one fact: parish churches are not just places of Christian worship. They are the biggest – and usually most beautiful – monument dominating the heart of almost every village and town in Britain. 

The national church may not matter to the nation, but the local church is prominent at the hub of almost every community. 

It represents history, ceremony, cultural activity and much of its charitable welfare. Everyone knows their church, even if few pay for it. 

The C of E’s accumulated repair liability now runs at more than £1bn, with 900 on Historic England’s heritage at risk register.

It is simply unrealistic for these glorious buildings to rely on tiny groups of mostly elderly people to look after and pay for them. Local churches and especially unused ones must be somehow transferred to their local communities, as happens across Europe, or they will go the way of medieval castles. 

Sooner or later they will collapse and die.

This is why disestablishing the national church is not enough. Already an active element within the Anglican community is virtually neo-Methodist: the house church and lay-led movements. 

These are informal, sometimes evangelical, groups usually under lay preachers meeting in each other’s homes or elsewhere. Some are mimicking the non-conformist movements of the 18th and 19th centuries and establishing self-governing “congregational” churches compared by sceptics to alcoholics anonymous. 

This is moving outside the Anglican hierarchy.

This will do nothing to save church buildings. 

Lively ones are at least finding new uses, like Herefordshire’s “shop in a church” or Oxfordshire’s pilates centres or the post office, cafe and soft play area in London’s West Hampstead. They are becoming libraries, gyms, performance spaces, cafeterias and food banks. Some are reverting to being places of meditation and wellbeing. 

Whatever it may be, like sports centre and museums, they should become the responsibility of local trusts or parish and town councils, with precept taxes to support their upkeep.

Great Britain can handle the affairs of state without an official church. 

Localities are less happy. As high streets decline and pubs close, they face being left with a large building empty and bleak at their heart. 

It should revert to what it once was: the focus of communal activity. 

As the Church of England disestablishes nationally, its churches should become “re-established” locally.

Priest hit by SUV, assaulted and robbed by group of men in Jaipur

A priest was brutally attacked and robbed by a group of men in Jaipur's Kardhani area in the early hours of the morning. 

The incident, which was caught on CCTV, shows the priest, 40-year-old Subhash, riding his scooty when he was deliberately hit from behind by an SUV. 

Moments later, four to five men got out of the vehicle and assaulted him mercilessly before fleeing with his belongings.

The attack took place around 2.30 am, as Subhash was returning home after performing rituals at a wedding in Govindpura. 

According to reports, the accused beat him with sticks before taking away his bag containing money, mobile phone, and even the scooty key. 

The entire sequence of events was recorded on CCTV, providing crucial evidence for the police investigation.

The CCTV footage shows the attackers ramming the priest's scooty, causing him to fall. 

They then descended upon him, assaulting him repeatedly before grabbing his belongings and fleeing the scene. 

The brazen nature of the crime has raised concerns over law and order in Jaipur, as criminals continue to operate with impunity.

The Jaipur police have launched an investigation and are analysing the CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the culprits.

Pope Francis names 6 Malolos diocese priests as monsignors

Pope Francis has named six priests of the Diocese of Malolos as monsignors.

In a social media post Monday, the diocese announced that Bulacan province priests Fr. Narciso Sampana, Fr. Domingo Salonga, Fr. Leocadio de Jesus, Fr. Florentino Concepcion, Fr. Javer Joaquin, and Fr. Dario Cabral have been named “Chaplain to His Holiness” and given the title of monsignor.

"It is an honor given to the presbyterium,” Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo said.

“It is part of how the Church recognizes its ministers and at the same time, it is a call to greater service to facilitate the various ministerial activities in our diocese,” he added.

A monsignor is an honorary title granted by the pope, usually upon the recommendation of the bishop. It does not affect the priest's duties or ministerial assignment.

The title is typically given to priests who have rendered significant service to the Church or played a special role in church governance.

Sampana is the rector and parish priest of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Augustine in Baliwag City while Salonga serves as the parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish (Barasoain Church) in the City of Malolos.

De Jesus is parish priest of Sto. Niño Parish, while Concepcion is currently the director of Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres, both in Bustos.

Joaquin, meanwhile, is rector and parish priest of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion in Bulakan, while Cabral serves as rector and parish priest of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Isidro Labrador in Pulilan.

The Malolos diocese was established in 1961 and is one of the largest in the country. Aside from Bulacan, it also covers Valenzuela City in the National Capital Region.

Anglican woman priest concelebrates at the Catholic mass creating the archdiocese of Chapeco

An Anglican woman priest was permitted to concelebrate the Eucharist at a Roman Catholic mass held to celebrate the creation of the Archdiocese of Chapeco and the seating of its first bishop.

On 9 Feb 2025 the Rev. Vivian Schwanke De Oliveira, a priest of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (IEAB)’s Diocese Sul Ocidental, dressed in a cassock alb with a blue stole joined the 80 Catholic priests and 7 bishops in the procession at the start of the service, was seated with the other clergy around the altar, and took part in the service of installation and the con-celebration of the Eucharist, and received the sacraments at St Anthony’s Cathedral in Chapeco in Santa Catarina state in Southern Brazil.

In his sermon, the new archbishop, the Most Rev. Don Odelir Jose Magri, MCCJ, noted the presence of the IEAB minister among the clergy, and welcomed her active participation in the service as a sign of unity among Christian believers.

The Portuguese-language news service ACI contacted the diocese after the service asking whether the presence of Mrs. de Oliveira violated Canon 908, which forbids Catholic priests to concelebrate the eucharist with clergy not in full communion with the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Magri released a statement in response on 13 Feb 2025, noting that he had already communicated to the Apostolic Nunciature in Brazil the circumstances surrounding this “isolated incident of inadvertent violation of liturgical norms.”

“We renew our commitment to doctrinal orthodoxy and liturgical orthopraxis, and will make efforts to avoid future errors,” he said.

Retired Chicago-area priest accused of sexually abusing a minor

A retired Chicago-area priest who once served as rector of Holy Name Cathedral is being investigated for an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, the Archdiocese of Chicago said Saturday.

Msgr. Daniel Mayall, who has resided at Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish in Wilmette following his retirement in 2021, allegedly sexually abused a minor while assigned to Saint Francis Borgia Parish in Dunning approximately 30 years ago, the Archdiocese said.

Mayall "strenuously denies" the allegation but has agreed to cooperate with the Archdiocese's direction, Cardinal Blase Cupich said in a letter to the parish communities.

In line with the Archdiocese's policies, Cupich has directed Mayall to remain out of ministry and refrain from all parish and school activities.

Mayall served as senior priest of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish from January 2019 to 2021. He also previously served as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish from July 2016 to December 2018 and rector of Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral.

Catholic priest kidnapped on February 12 in southern Nigeria has been released

The Catholic priest who was kidnapped on February 12 along with two other people has been released.

The priest is Fr. Livinus Maurice, parish priest of St. Patrick's Church in Isokpo, in Rivers State, southern Nigeria. 

The priest was kidnapped on February 12 by armed men on the road from Elele to Isiokpo as he was returning from a hospital visit with two other people.

In an official statement, the Diocese of Port Harcourt, on behalf of Bishop Bernadine Anaele, had asked for the priest's unconditional release. 

Thanks to the pressure exerted on the kidnappers, Fr. Livinus Maurice and the other two abducted were released on Sunday, February 16. 

According to a statement by the state police spokesperson, "their release was made following pressure from a mixed security team composed of police officers, soldiers of the Isiokpo Joint Task Force and local security officials. Operations to capture the kidnappers are still ongoing." 

Meanwhile, another Nigerian priest, Fr. Cornellus Manzak Damulak, who was kidnapped in the early hours of February 6 from his home in Zuma 2 neighborhood in the Bwari Area Council of the capital district, is still in the hands of the kidnappers.

Jury sworn in trial of priest accused of sex offences

A jury has been sworn in the case of a priest who is to stand trial for historic sexual abuse charges against a number of boys whilst they were pupils in a County Fermanagh school.

Canon Patrick McEntee, 70, from Esker Road, Dromore, County Tyrone requested a leave of absence in 2022 while a serious safeguarding investigation was carried out.

Last year, he was charged with sexual offences against five males which allegedly occurred in Enniskillen area.

There are four counts of indecently assaulting one complainant on dates between 1988 and 1989 and a single count of indecently assaulting another complainant between 1980 and 1981.

In addition, there a further four counts of indecent assault against three males- two counts against one and single counts against the other two.

These matters allegedly occurred on various dates between 1978 and 1987.

Standing in the dock of Dungannon Crown Court, Canon McEntee denied all charges against him.

To date, no details surrounding  the circumstances of the alleged offending have been disclosed.

Today (Monday) a jury was sworn in ahead of trial which will commence tomorrow and is expected to last around two weeks

Judge Ruchard Greene remanded Canon McEntee on continuing bail of £500 and banned all contact with the complainants and any person aged under 16.

Originally from Monaghan, Canon McEntee joined the staff of St Michael’s College, Enniskillen in 1997, teaching religious studies and sitting on the Board of Governors.

He was also college president between 1994 and 2000, moving on to take up the post of Parish Priest at St Davog’s Church in Dromore, County Tyrone in 2001, where he has remained until his recent leave of absence.

Pope’s commitments in doubt as hospital treatment continues

The Pope has spent a fourth day in hospital with a respiratory tract infection that has already sidelined him longer than his treatment for pneumonia in 2023.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis, 88, ate breakfast and read the newspapers on Monday morning and is continuing his unspecified drug therapies.

A more detailed medical update is expected later in the day.

Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital in a “fair” condition on Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened.

Doctors confirmed a respiratory tract infection and prescribed “absolute rest” alongside unspecified drug therapies.

Subsequent updates said his slight fever had gone away and that he was in a “stable” condition.

The Argentine Pope, who had part of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection as a young man, is a known workaholic who keeps up a gruelling pace despite his increasingly precarious health.

There has been no word on how long his hospital stay might last.

When he had a bad case of pneumonia in 2023, Francis left hospital after three days and only acknowledged after the fact that he had been admitted urgently after feeling faint and having a sharp pain in his chest.

This time around, Francis insisted on finishing his morning audiences on Friday before leaving the Vatican, even though he was having trouble speaking at length because he was short of breath.

The Holy See has only confirmed cancelled appointments through until Monday. 

Francis was supposed to have gone to Rome’s Cinecitta film studios to meet with artists as part of the Catholic Church’s Holy Year celebrations.

While his private audiences are rarely announced with much advance notice, the Pope’s next scheduled appointment is his weekly general audience on Wednesday. 

Beyond that, he is scheduled to preside on Sunday at the ordination of deacons as part of a Holy Year weekend dedicated to deacons.

Francis’ participation in both appears in doubt, but they remain on the official Vatican schedule.

When he missed the Jubilee Mass dedicated to artists this past Sunday, a cardinal stood in for him.

Statement of Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Apostolic Administrator of Killala

Statement of Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Apostolic Administrator of Killala

I warmly welcome the announcement today of Pope Francis’ decision to appoint Bishop Kevin Doran as Bishop of Achonry, in addition to his current responsibilities as Bishop of Elphin.

When the Holy See announced last April that a gradual process of reorganisation of dioceses was envisaged, it did so in an effort to meet the evolving needs of the dioceses in the west of Ireland, specifically in the ecclesiastical province of Tuam.

Bishop Kevin was entrusted with the pastoral care of the Diocese of Achonry at that time with the understanding that, after careful assessment and further consultation, the time may come when the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin would be governed by one Bishop.  

It is a testament to the proactive way Bishop Kevin has engaged with the vision put forth by the Holy See, and to the way he has diligently gathered and listened to the faithful in the Diocese of Achonry particularly – laity, religious, and clergy – and reported on these consultations to the Holy See, that the Holy Father has determined that this is the right moment to appoint Bishop Doran as the new Bishop of Achonry, and, at the same time, to unite the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin in persona episcopi – in the person of the Bishop.

This positive development allows both dioceses to preserve their individual identities while having the same Bishop.  

It also allows for consultative bodies, such as the Achonry Council of Priests, to be established and vacant offices – such as that of Vicar General – to be filled.

I wish to congratulate Bishop Kevin on his appointment today, and I pray that God will bless all his endeavours as he attends to the governance and pastoral care of the faithful in the Diocese of Achonry.

Statement of Bishop Michael Duignan on the Appointment of Bishop Kevin Doran as Bishop of Achonry

Statement of Bishop Michael Duignan on the Appointment of Bishop Kevin Doran as Bishop of Achonry and the uniting of the Diocese of Achonry and the Diocese of Elphin in Persona Episcopi

I very much welcome the announcement that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Kevin Doran as Bishop of Achonry and of the uniting of the Diocese of Achonry and the Diocese of Elphin in Persona Episcopi. 

Having worked with Bishop Kevin for many years now as both a priest and a bishop, I am always struck by his deep faith, absolute commitment and the abounding energy he brings to whatever he is called to do. 

I have no doubt that the Diocese of Achonry will continue to benefit greatly from his paternal leadership and that with his shepherding care, the coming together of the Diocese of Achonry with the Diocese of Elphin will be a most blessed and fruitful one. 

The uniting of both Dioceses in the person of Bishop Kevin, follows the similar uniting of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora and the Diocese of Clonfert and the announcement last year of a restructuring of all the dioceses in the West of Ireland. I welcome this restructuring for renewal. I have noted on previous occasions that the “West is Awake”. 

Awake to the need to reconfigure and restructure for renewal and mission. I look forward to continuing to work with Bishop Kevin and Archbishop Francis Duffy and indeed the entire people of God in these parts to progress this project into the future. 

I pray for a continuing renewal of the faith and of our faith communities as we journey together towards tomorrow in that hope that faith in Christ alone can give. 

POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS BISHOP KEVIN AS BISHOP OF ACHONRY

POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS BISHOP KEVIN AS BISHOP OF ACHONRY 

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Kevin Doran to minister simultaneously as Bishop of Achonry and Bishop of Elphin.  The two Dioceses concerned, united in persona episcopi, will be pastorally administered by one Bishop.  The news of this Episcopal appointment will be made public this morning at 11.00am.

Announcement delivered by Fr Vincent Sherlock after Mass in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen: 

"As Chancellor of the Diocese of Achonry, I am happy to make the following announcement:

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Most Rev Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, as Bishop of Achonry and, at the same time, unites the Diocese of Achonry and the Diocese of Elphin “in persona episcopi” (in the person of the bishop).  As we gather here, this appointment is also being announced in Rome.

There are two distinct but related elements to the announcement.  Firstly, since 10 April 2024, Bishop Kevin has been Apostolic Administrator of Achonry, which is a temporary care-taker appointment.  Pope Francis has now appointed him Bishop of Achonry.  When the official decree (known as The Bull) comes from Rome in a few weeks time, Bishop Kevin will present it to the Diocesan College of Consultors.  A 'Liturgy of Installation' will be celebrated here in the Cathedral, on a date which has yet to be confirmed within the next two months.  Bishop Kevin remains also Bishop of Elphin.

The second element of the announcement is that the two dioceses of Achonry and Elphin are joined “in persona episcopi.”  In other words, they are joined “in the person of the Bishop”.  This follows on from the announcement made by the Papal Nuncio last year regarding a 'gradual process of reorganisation' in the Province of Tuam.

Perhaps the best way to explain this is to say that, in every Diocese the Bishop is called to be a sign and a means of unity.  It is his responsibility to gather together the people of God.  When two Dioceses are joined like this “in the person of the Bishop”, it tells us that the two Dioceses have a unique relationship which goes beyond just being close neighbours.  Through his ministry of teaching, administration and celebrating the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, the Bishop is called to be a sign and a servant of that new and deeper communion.  Each Diocese still retains is own unique identity, but gradually over the next few years, while respecting the culture and the history and the unique gifts of each, the two dioceses will become one diocese."

Address of Bishop Kevin Doran 

It is good to be with you here in our Cathedral this Sunday morning.  As the regular Sunday congregation in the Cathedral, you represent the people of God across the whole Diocese.  If you have kept in touch with what has been going on over the past ten months, the news that Father Vincent has just shared with us will probably not come as a surprise.

Since I was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Achonry last April, I have carried out the work of a Bishop, and today’s announcement will not make a lot of difference to that.  I have been conscious, however, of an understandable disappointment among the faithful, including the priests, that there was no longer a Bishop of Achonry.  It was clear from the consultations which took place in September and October last year that there was a willingness to move towards the eventual union of our two Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin.  Together with the College of Consultors, I made that known to the Apostolic Nuncio, who communicated it to Pope Francis.

Pope Francis has heard your voice.

Today’s announcement is significant for both the Diocese of Elphin and the Diocese of Achonry, because it puts the relationship of the two Dioceses on another level.  It is consistent with what the Apostolic Nuncio told us in April 2024, when he announced the Pope’s plan for the reorganisation of the Province of Tuam.  This marks the next step in our journey together.

As some of you may know, bishops normally choose an episcopal motto, taken from Scripture.  Mine is 'One Body in Christ.'  It comes from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans, where he says: "In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us" (Rom. 12).

I gladly accept my responsibility as Bishop of the two Dioceses to work with you as we grow together into that unity to which we are called, and as we discover the gifts that God has given us to share.  I have been Bishop of Elphin for over ten years, and it is less than a year since I became Apostolic Administrator here.  It is you, the people of both Dioceses, who have shown me how to be a Bishop for you and I thank you for that.

I am very grateful to the people of the Diocese of Achonry - including the clergy, the religious and the Diocesan staff - who have welcomed me so warmly and encouraged me in my ministry as Apostolic Administrator.  Those who work most closely with me in the Diocese of Elphin have also taken on additional responsibilities in recent months, in order to allow me the time and energy to be present in Achonry.

In recent weeks, I have asked ten people, five from each Diocese, to join an 'Implementation Group' to help identify the steps we need to take over the next couple of years, to bring our two Dioceses together in a way which respects the unique culture of each, but will also sow the seeds of renewal so that we can go into the future as one Diocese strong in faith and in mission.

Diocese Of Achonry Announcement

Announcement in the Cathedral

This morning at 11am (corresponding to 12 noon in Rome), Fr. Vincent Sherlock, Chancellor of the Diocese of Achonry, made the following announcement in the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen:

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Most Rev Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin as Bishop of Achonry and, at the same time, unites the Diocese of Achonry and the Diocese of Elphin “in persona episcopi” (in the person of the bishop). As we gather here, this appointment is also being announced in Rome.

What does this Mean?

There are two distinct but related elements to the announcement.

Firstly, since 10th April 2024, Bishop Kevin has been Apostolic Administrator of Achonry, which is a temporary care-taker appointment. Pope Francis has now appointed him Bishop of Achonry. 

When the official decree, (known as the Bull) comes from Rome in a few weeks time, Bishop Kevin will present it to the Diocesan College of Consultors. 

A Liturgy of Installation will be celebrated here in the Cathedral, on a date which has yet to be confirmed within the next two months. Bishop Kevin remains also Bishop of Elphin.

The second element of the announcement is that the two dioceses of Achonry and Elphin are joined “in persona episcopi”. 

In other words, they are joined “in the person of the Bishop”. This follows on from the announcement made by the Papal Nuncio last year regarding a “gradual process of reorganisation” in the Province of Tuam.

Perhaps the best way to explain this is to say that, in every Diocese the Bishop is called to be a sign and a means of unity. It is his responsibility to gather together the people of God. When two Dioceses are joined like this “in the person of the Bishop”, it tells us that the two Dioceses have a unique relationship which goes beyond just being close neighbours.

Through his ministry of teaching, administration and celebrating the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, the Bishop is called to be a sign and a servant of that new and deeper communion. 

Each Diocese still retains is own unique identity, but gradually over the next few years, while respecting the culture and the history and the unique gifts of each, the two dioceses will become one diocese.

Address of Bishop Kevin 

It is good to be with you here in our Cathedral this Sunday morning. As the regular Sunday congregation in the Cathedral, you represent the people of God across the whole Diocese. If you have kept in touch with what has been going on over the past ten months, the news that Fr Vincent has just shared with us will probably not come as a surprise.

Since I was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Achonry last April, I have carried out the work of a Bishop, and today’s announcement will not make a lot of difference to that. 

I have been conscious, however, of an understandable disappointment among the faithful, including the priests, that there was no longer a Bishop of Achonry. It was clear from the consultations which took place in September and October last year that there was a willingness to move towards the eventual union of our two Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin. 

Together with the College of Consultors, I made that known to the Apostolic Nuncio, who communicated it to Pope Francis. Pope Francis has heard your voice.

Today’s announcement is significant for both the Diocese of Elphin and the Diocese of Achonry, because it puts the relationship of the two Dioceses on another level. It is consistent with what the Apostolic Nuncio told us in April 2024, when he announced the Pope’s plan for the reorganisation of the Province of Tuam. This marks the next step in our journey together.

As some of you may know, bishops normally choose an episcopal motto, taken from Scripture. Mine is “One Body in Christ”. It comes from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, where he says:

In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (Rom. 12)

I gladly accept my responsibility as Bishop of the two Dioceses to work with you as we grow together into that unity to which we are called, and as we discover the gifts that God has given us to share. I have been Bishop of Elphin for over 10 years and it is less than a year since I became Apostolic Administrator here. It is you, the people of both Dioceses, who have shown me how to be a Bishop for you and I thank you for that.

I am very grateful to the people of the Diocese of Achonry - including the clergy, the religious and the Diocesan staff - who have welcomed me so warmly and encouraged me in my ministry as Apostolic Administrator. Those who work most closely with me in the Diocese of Elphin have also taken on additional responsibilities in recent months, in order to allow me the time and energy to be present in Achonry.

In recent weeks, I have asked ten people, five from each Diocese, to join an “implementation group” to help identify the steps we need to take, over the next couple of years, to bring our two Dioceses together in a way which respects the unique culture of each, but will also sow the seeds of renewal so that we can go into the future as one Diocese strong in faith and in mission. 

Please keep this process in your prayers.

Pope eating and reading after second night in hospital

Pope Francis read the newspapers and had breakfast on Sunday after a second night sleeping well at the hospital where the 88-year-old is being treated for a respiratory tract infection, the Vatican has said.

The Argentine pope, a known workaholic who keeps up a gruelling pace despite his many ailments, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened.

It is his fourth hospital stay since his 2013 election and it has raised questions about his increasingly precarious health.

Doctors confirmed a respiratory tract infection and prescribed “absolute rest” alongside unspecified drug therapies. Francis skipped his traditional Sunday noon blessing, declining to even come to his hospital window to wave to a small crowd below that had gathered in the hope of cheering him on.

The Pope Francis social media account, which is not written by himself, posted on Sunday: “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you are accompanying me in these days.”

Francis had part of one lung removed after a lung infection when he was a young man and is prone to respiratory infections. In 2023, he spent three days at Gemelli to be treated for what he later revealed was an acute case of pneumonia.

Despite his February 6 bronchitis diagnosis, Francis has kept up a frenetic pace of late, packing his days with private and public audiences while taking on the added obligations of steering the Catholic Church through its Holy Year.

The Vatican has cancelled his events until Monday at least.

On Sunday, a Holy Year Mass he was supposed to preside over for visiting artists was instead celebrated by the Vatican culture minister.

The Vatican has not specified what type of respiratory tract infection the Pope has. Sometimes bronchitis can lead to pneumonia, a deeper and far more serious infection of the lungs’ air sacs. Treatment varies by severity but can include providing oxygen through a nasal tube or mask, intravenous fluids – and treatment of the underlying cause of the infection.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he expects to provide a further update later on Sunday, but substantially new detailed medical information may not be forthcoming given it is a Sunday.

Pope continuing to call Gaza parish from hospital

Pope Francis has continued to call the Holy Family Parish in Gaza since being admitted to hospital with bronchitis on Friday, a manager with the Catholic community in the enclave told Tgcom24. 

The Argentine Pontiff has been calling Holy Family parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli and his deputy, Father Yusuf Asad, on a daily basis in recent months to show his support amid the war between Israel and Hamas. 

"The Pope called us on Friday and Saturday, he was in a good mood, his voice a little a tired, but he wanted to know how we was "were the manager said.  

"An aide him handed the phone and he was able to talk to us. Yesterday, as a while, he rested and we knew he would would't call."

World’s first openly gay Islamic priest shot dead in South Africa

Muhsin Hendricks, a pioneering figure dubbed the world’s first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa.

The 57-year-old cleric ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims. 

He was killed on Saturday morning after the car in which he was travelling near the southern city of Gqeberha was ambushed.

“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” police said in a statement.

News of Hendricks’ death has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the globe.

Julia Ehrt, executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate “what we fear may be a hate crime”.

“He supported and mentored so many people in South Africa and around the world in their journey to reconcile with their faith, and his life has been a testament to the healing that solidarity across communities can bring in everyone’s lives,” she said.

Hendricks was killed after he had reportedly officiated at a lesbian wedding, though this has not been officially confirmed.

The details of the attack emerged through security footage that was shared on social media.

It shows a car pulling up and blocking the vehicle in which Hendricks was travelling as it was pulling away from the curb. According to police, the imam was in the back seat.

The angle of CCTV footage reveals what happened from one side of the road – an assailant jumps out of a car, runs to the ambushed vehicle and shoots repeatedly through the back passenger window.

Hendricks’ Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in the Wynberg suburb of Cape Town, confirmed he had died in a targeted attack on Saturday morning.

But Abdulmugheeth Petersen, chair of the foundation’s board, appealed via a WhatsApp group for their followers to be patient, stressing the importance of protecting Hendricks’ family.

Hendricks’ work challenged traditional interpretations of Islam and championed a compassionate, inclusive faith.

South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution was the first in the world to protect people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation and in 2006, became the first country in Africa to legalise same-sex marriage.

But despite a thriving LGBT community, gay people still face discrimination and violence. The country also has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Hendricks came out as gay in 1996, which shocked the wider Muslim community in Cape Town and elsewhere.

That same year, he founded The Inner Circle, an organisation providing support and a safe space for queer Muslims seeking to reconcile their faith and sexuality before going on to establish the inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque.

He was the subject of a documentary in 2022 called The Radical, in which he said about the threats he faced: “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”

Hendricks often spoke about the importance of interfaith dialogue and the need to address the mental health issues and trauma faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within religious communities.

He told the Ilga World Conference in Cape Town last year: “It is important that we stop to look at religion as the enemy.”

Reverend Jide Macaulay, an openly gay Anglican minister, described Hendricks’ death as “truly heartbreaking”.

The British-Nigerian LGBTQ rights activist runs House of Rainbow, an organisation that provides support for gay people in Nigeria where same-sex relationships or public displays of affection are illegal, and paid tribute to Hendricks’ bravery.

“Your leadership, courage, and unwavering dedication to inclusive faith communities have left an indelible mark,” he said.

Sadiq Lawal, a gay Muslim man living in Nigeria, told the BBC that Hendricks, had made such an impact as he had made “the impossible possible” by saying the words: “I’m a queer imam.”

“He’s a mentor to many queer Muslims in Africa, especially in Nigeria, because of religious extremism,” he said.

“I’m still in shock and devastated.”

Pope Francis signed bourbon bottles for a Kentucky charity and raised thousands

Pope Francis autographed two bottles of Kentucky bourbon, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars for the poor, the ill, and animals in need.

The scheme was conceived by none other than Rev. Jim Sichko, a Kentucky cleric who has been appointed as a papal missionary of mercy.

He had a lightbulb moment to use his local Kentucky product, coupled with his connection to Pope Francis - who was recently hospitalized- to drum up some funds for good causes through a charity auction.

"I understand that at times people say, ‘What is this priest doing? ’ I get it," Rev. Sichko admitted recently. "I think outside the box all the time."

 His "visionary" thinking paid off quite well during the Sotheby’s auction, collecting approximately £30,000 from two bourbon bottles signed by the pope and another endorsed by NFL legend Tom Brady.

On 31 January, Sichko handed out the first check to Paws 4 the Cause, a furry friend rescue in Lexington, Kentucky.

He announced that more of the money would support hospice care in Texas and a legal clinic in Lexington that aids immigrants.

And where's the rest of the money going?

The Catholic Diocese of Lexington will use its share to give a leg-up to those hard-up.

It all started several years ago when Sichko gifted Pope Francis some rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon during a Rome visit.

Since then, whenever they met, Kentucky bourbon became the go-to gift.

Appointed by Francis himself, Sichko is part of an exclusive club of missionaries who journey across the globe, spreading kindness, mercy, and joy.

At 58, Sichko spends about 300 days of the year trotting the globe as a missionary and Evangelist.

Last year in Vatican City, it was quite a scene when Sichko arrived with two bottles of bourbon, aiming for a different kind of mission.

He intended to spread cheer by having the Pope sign the bourbon donated by Willett Distillery, which is aged for a decade and features special seals.

When the moment of truth arrived, he mustered the courage to ask for the pope's autograph. "I just pulled out the bottle of bourbon with a pen," Sichko said, still somewhat surprised by his own audacity.

"And he looked at me, and he signed it. And I was shocked. And then what I did was I pulled out the other bottle. And he signed that."

Sichko didn't expect the pope's next move. "He looked at both bottles, and he looked at me, and he said, ‘Father, which one of these is mine?’" 

A delightfully awkward confession followed.

"I said, 'Neither one of these are for you. I want to come up with a creative way to auction them off for the good of others,'" Sichko remarked. "And that's how it came about."

The mastermind behind the initiative, along with Sichko, is Drew Kulsveen, the master distiller at Willett Distillery.

"From the first conversation, our door was open knowing this contribution can impact countless people in need through his work," Kulsveen expressed.

Kulsveen and his significant other accompanied Sichko on his pilgrimage to Rome. Kulsveen described it as a "tremendous honor" to observe the pontiff personally autograph bottles from his distillery"

Upon delivering a check for $7,375, Sichko was warmly welcomed at the animal shelter. Anita Spreitzer, the director at Paws 4 the Cause, mentioned that the funds would support their ongoing expansion project.

However, Spreitzer revealed that a portion of the donation is intended for another animal charity.

This announcement was robustly endorsed by Sichko, who quipped, "That's the way it goes—give and receive."

Sichko anticipates another Vatican visit within six months but hasn't made plans to request further papal signatures on liquor.

Regular autograph requests from the pope would drain the specialness, he implied.

Hope springs eternal for Sichko; he hopes his efforts spark a chain reaction of kindness—simple actions like holding doors or giving up places in a grocery line are just the start.

Fr. Sichko weighed in on the world's current state, sharing his perspective: "Everyone can do something," and asserting, "It costs nothing to be kind."

He also voiced concerns about societal anger: "Our world is turning into a very angry world."

"And I think it's time that we just chill out a bit and recognize truly what we're called to be. And that is brothers and sisters. We may all have different skin colors. We may have all different ways of life. But I think we all come from the same place, and that is love and love of God."

Call for records about mother and baby institutions and Magdalene Laundries

A call has been made for records relating to former mother and baby institutions, Magdalene Laundries and workhouses in Northern Ireland.

It comes as part of a Truth Recovery Programme to investigate what happened at those institutions which operated in the region from 1922 to 1995.

More than 14,000 women and girls are thought to have passed through these type of institutions with many found to have been mistreated, held against their will and forced to give up children for adoption.

In 2021, Stormont was urged to establish a public inquiry to investigate the institutions and deliver financial redress to survivors.

A new generation heralds change in approach for Jesuits in naming probable abusers

There is hardly shock at revelations by the Jesuits that 15 of the congregation’s deceased members were likely to have been child abusers. 

Those are in addition to Fr Joseph Marmion, revealed as such in 2021, as well as Fr Paul Andrews and Fr Dermot Casey, both named as abusers by the congregation last year.

It follows a disclosure that the Jesuits are looking at files of 37 deceased members who have faced abuse allegations over the past 70 years, with the congregation saying they are not casting doubt on the credibility of people who alleged abuse by others but that more evidence is required.

These latest disclosures follow a now-familar pattern when it comes to the cover-up of child abuse by members. 

As the Murphy commission put it in its November 2009 report, following an investigation into the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations by the Dublin Archdiocese, “the focus was on the avoidance of scandal and the preservation of the good name, status and assets of the institution and of what the institution regarded as its most important members – the priests”.

So it has been with the Jesuits, with the broader institutional Catholic Church, and with other churches too, as we’ve seen recently in the Church of England.

However, the Jesuits are unique among Ireland’s religious congregations in taking the initiative to publicly name probable child sex abusers from among their own ranks. 

In so doing, they have ventured into fraught territory, which brought down the first iteration of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in 2003, leading to the resignation of its first chair, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy.

Her reasons for resigning as chair of the commission included lack of co-operation by the Department of Education but also a High Court action by the Christian Brothers to stop her naming deceased members as abusers in the commission’s final report.

Subsequently the commission, chaired by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, succeeded in getting the Christian Brothers to drop their legal action by agreeing not to name deceased members as abusers in the commission’s final report, published in May 2009.

Clearly the spur behind the Jesuits taking this somewhat different route has been its new provincial Fr Shane Daly (51), appointed in February 2023. A late vocation, ordained just 10 years ago in 2015, he is of a different generation to many predecessors.

In February last year he set up an independent working group “to consider and advise upon the criteria to be applied by the Jesuit Order when deciding whether to publicly name a deceased Jesuit who was the subject of child sexual abuse allegations”.

The group is chaired by retired Supreme Court judge John MacMenamin, with psychotherapist/psychologist Dr Rosaleen McElvaney and social work adviser Paul Harrison.

What is of particular interest is how this group arrived at a decision to publish the names they did from the files of 37 deceased Jesuits looked at. Their selection followed the application of criteria which included the detailed nature of allegations made, the number of complainants, reports of the abuse made to other (mainly civil) agencies, contemporary concerns expressed by third parties, witnesses, and admission by an alleged abuser.

Each member of the group acted independently of the other two when carrying out an assessment of each file. In subsequent discussions, the group arrived at “a high degree of consensus” on the names to be published. 

So the working group concluded, based on information available to date, that 14 of the deceased alleged abusers could be named publicly. 

The Jesuits themselves added another name.

Sister Raffaella Petrini appointed president of Vatican governorate

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, the Vatican announced Saturday.

According to the Feb. 15 bulletin from the Holy See Press Office, Petrini will assume her new roles on March 1. 

She succeeds Cardinal Fernando Vérgez in both positions.

Petrini, who has served as secretary-general of the same governorate since November 2021, brings significant academic and administrative experience to her new role. 

Born in Rome on Jan. 15, 1969, she holds a degree in political science from the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Guido Carli and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where she currently serves as a professor.

Before her appointment to the governorate, Petrini worked at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2005 to 2021.

This appointment follows Pope Francis‘ recent selection of Sister Simona Brambilla as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, marking a continuing trend of women being appointed to senior Vatican leadership positions.

During a recent television interview, the pope had previously indicated his intention to promote Petrini.

Secret probes into ‘inappropriate sexual behaviour’ in Archbishop of Wales’ home diocese

Two parallel secret investigations were ordered four months ago into serious safeguarding matters involving staff working at the home cathedral of the Archbishop of Wales, we can reveal.

It has been suggested to us that the inquiries involve inappropriate sexual behaviour by a male towards a female, although we have been unable to verify that.

A private and confidential letter about the matter was sent by Archbishop Andy John to Canons (senior clerics) attached to Bangor Cathedral in October 2024. The letter, which has now been leaked, states: “I am writing to you following concerns which have been raised with me about some safeguarding matters in relation to the Cathedral. I believe these to be serious and require urgent attention. You requested Archdeacon David Parry to chair Chapter meetings in the absence of a Dean. I have spoken to David about these matters and the course of action I am taking as a consequence.

“Firstly, that the Chapter resolves to counter-sign a serious incident referral to the Charity Commissioners that will be referred by the Provincial Safeguarding Team. I believe this discharges our duty to the Commissioners and allows us to cooperate with the provincial team to address these concerns.

“Secondly, I intend to invite some senior figures, both from within the province and outside it, to undertake a visitation on my behalf. The visitation will focus attention on the quality of life, faith, discipline, behaviour and culture of the Cathedral. I intend to convene this team as soon as possible and to require them to report to me within a month from the commencement of their work.

“I anticipate the team will wish to meet with you, either together or individually, and they will be in touch once commissioned to do their work.”

Visitation

The terms of reference for the visitation in St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor state that the Church officials known as commissaries appointed to assist with the visitation are the Venerable Chris Potter, the Venerable Mike Komor and Dawn Watson. 

While cooperating with the visitation is not compulsory, those invited to meet the commissaries include Archbishop Andy John; the Bishop of Bardsey David Morris; the Chapter of the Cathedral (comprising its Canons); the Diocesan Finance team; the Cathedral Ministry team (clergy and licensed lay ministers); employees of the Cathedral; lay clerks and other members of the choir; parents of all choir members under the age of 18; the director of safeguarding and the safeguarding manager; and others who the commissaries would particularly like to meet.

The report on the visitation was due to be delivered to the Archbishop by no later than December 2 2024.

The full report is due to go to the Archbishop, the Bishop of Bardsey, the Archdeacon of Bangor, the Chair of the Provincial Safeguarding Committee, the Chair of the Standing Committee of the Governing Body, the Provincial Secretary, the General Counsel and Head of Legal Services; the Director of Safeguarding and the Safeguarding Manager.

The executive summary is to be published on the cathedral, diocesan and provincial websites. However, that has yet to happen.

There is speculation that the executive summary may be published at the same time as another safeguarding report commissioned from a specialist charity called thirtyone: eight, based at Swanley in Kent.

Safeguarding case review

An item on the charity’s website states: “An independent safeguarding case review gives an organisation an objective expert assessment of any risks, concerns or ways it can improve to better protect children and adults from harm.

“Case reviews can look at general safeguarding arrangements, a single case, or a collection of cases that have a common theme e.g. cases that involve a specific person or type of offence, or within a set time period.

“We work with the commissioning organisation to agree the parameters of the review (known as the scope) and the timeline, and any outputs and recommendations which are then included in a final report.

“All our work goes through a two-stage quality assurance process so that everyone involved in the process can have complete confidence in the outcome and recommendations of the review.”

We have been told that ordinary members of the cathedral congregation have not been officially informed of the inquiries, although some have heard of them “on the grapevine”, as it was put to us.

Recently a senior cleric and Church in Wales official in the same diocese who had been seen as a protégé of Archbishop Andy John left his posts with no thanks after being on gardening leave for 10 months.

Judgement 

In June 2024, questions had been raised about the judgement of the Archbishop after the emergence of concerns relating to potential financial irregularities in his home diocese of Bangor.

Several Church in Wales sources had contacted us independently to criticise the Archbishop for creating a situation where one cleric – the Rev Canon Siôn ap Rhys-Evans – was effectively running both the diocese of Bangor and its cathedral.

We were told that the Archbishop’s decision to let Canon Rhys-Evans be both the Sub-Dean of Bangor and the Diocesan Secretary simultaneously created a conflict of interest, with large sums of money being spent in potential breach of their charitable purpose.

A Church in Wales source told us when we first reported the concerns: “It is unusual and perhaps inadvisable for one individual to hold both posts. It raises governance concerns. Both the diocese and the cathedral are registered charities and therefore regulated by the Charity Commission.

“Concerns have been raised about the use of charity money to make major purchases for the cathedral, including a new set of pews at a cost of around £235,000. The suggestion is that the correct procedures may not have been followed when decisions were made about spending the money, and that pots of money were accessed which perhaps shouldn’t have been.

“The governance arrangements are clearly compromised by having one person wearing two hats, and the Archbishop should be open about why he thought that was a good idea.”

A source in the Bangor Diocese told us at the time: “As in other situations, the Church has been very secretive about this matter from the time he went on gardening leave. People who attend services in the Diocese and make donations to the Church ought to be told what has gone on.”