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An ailing Pope Francis – and the vultures circling in the Vatican
An unholy war is brewing in the Catholic Church, said Paola Totaro in The Australian (Sydney). While “Conclave”, a film about the “murky web of curial politics”, is getting Oscar-season buzz, in the real-world Vatican “a series of events has unfolded behind the Leonine Walls in past months that are just as intriguing”. With only one lung, the fragile 88-year-old Pope Francis sparks alarm with “every cough or hospital admission”. Around him, the vultures circle – devising strategies to ensure their preferred candidate becomes the next leader of the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion faithful.
On one side are Francis’s progressives, who want to modernise the Church; on the other, conservative traditionalists who fear “a shift too far on issues of capitalism, homosexuality, abortion and the role of women“. This week, an unabashed Pope Francis appointed an Italian nun, Sister Raffaella Petrini, to run the Vatican City State – the first time a woman has ever been given the role. Women make better managers than men, said the Pope, adding: “Women have been running things since the Garden of Eden.”
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It has been a challenging time for Pope Francis as he battles health issues, with reports of fatigue and difficulty walking. As the leader of the Catholic Church, his well-being is of utmost importance not just to the faithful, but also to those within the Vatican.However, amidst this period of vulnerability, there are vultures circling in the Vatican. Some are speculating about a power vacuum and potential successors, while others are questioning the Pope’s ability to lead effectively in his current state.
It is crucial during this time of uncertainty and concern that we remember the importance of compassion and support for Pope Francis. Let us not succumb to the temptation of gossip and speculation, but instead focus on sending prayers and well wishes for his recovery.
The Catholic Church has weathered many storms throughout its history, and it is in times like these that the strength of faith and unity is tested. Let us stand in solidarity with Pope Francis and trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit to navigate through these challenging times.
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Pope Francis health update, Vatican turmoil, Pope Francis illness, Vatican power struggle, Pope Francis news, Vatican controversy, Pope Francis health crisis, Vatican leadership crisis, Pope Francis health concerns, Vatican politics
#ailing #Pope #Francis #vultures #circling #VaticanPope Francis stumbles and nearly falls after walking stick handle snaps
Pope Francis nearly tumbled to the Vatican floor Saturday, when the handle of his walking stick snapped.
But the 88-year-old was able to catch himself, stumbling briefly as he entered the auditorium to address an audience.
After the slip, a pair of aides rushed to the pontiff’s side, and helped him into his chair on stage.
Pope Francis slipped after his walking stick failed him. REUTERS Aides rushed to the pope’s side to help. AP “Viva il Papa,” shouted a member of the crowd, eliciting applause from the others gathered to hear him speak.
Pope Francis has notoriously bad knees, which have caused him to fall twice recently.
He has used wheelchairs and walking sticks to get around, while also battling chronic health problems, including long bouts of bronchitis.
The pope greeted the faithful Saturday via wheelchair. AFP via Getty Images The pope hurt his arm earlier this month in a fall. While he didn’t fracture it, doctors nevertheless had him wear a sling.
And back on Dec. 7, 2024, Francis fell in his bedroom, and smacked his chin on a nightstand, leaving him with some visible bruising.
With Post wires.
Pope Francis had a scare during a recent public appearance when his walking stick handle snapped, causing him to stumble and nearly fall. The incident occurred as the Pope was greeting a crowd of well-wishers, highlighting the importance of safety precautions even for the most prominent figures. Thankfully, Pope Francis was able to regain his balance and continue with his duties, showing resilience and grace in the face of adversity. Let’s all keep the Pope in our thoughts and wish him well as he carries out his important work.
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Pope Francis stumbles walking into Jubilee audience at Vatican
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis tripped while entering the Vatican auditorium for an audience Saturday after the handle of his walking stick snapped, but he avoided falling.
The 88-year-old pope often has to use a wheelchair or a cane because of bad knees and has fallen twice in the past two months.
After Saturday’s slight stumble, two aides helped him to his chair on the stage and the audience proceeded without incident. After he recovered someone in the audience shouted “Viva il Papa” and the audience applauded.
Earlier in January, Francis fell and hurt his right arm. It wasn’t broken, but a sling was put on as a precaution.
On Dec. 7, the pope whacked his chin on his nightstand in an apparent fall that resulted in a bad bruise.
The pontiff has long battled health problems including long bouts of bronchitis. He uses a walker or cane when moving around his apartment in the Vatican’s Santa Marta hotel.
Speculation about Francis’ health is a constant in Vatican circles, especially after Pope Benedict XVI broke 600 years of tradition and resigned from the papacy in 2013. Benedict’s aides have attributed the decision to a nighttime fall that he suffered during a 2012 trip to Mexico, after which he determined he couldn’t keep up with the globe-trotting demands of the papacy.
Francis has said that he has no plans to resign anytime soon, even if Benedict “opened the door” to the possibility. In his autobiography “Hope” released this month, Francis said that he hadn’t considered resigning even when he had major intestinal surgery.
Pope Francis stumbled while walking into a Jubilee audience at the Vatican today, sparking concern among onlookers. The 84-year-old Pontiff appeared to lose his balance momentarily before regaining his composure and continuing on his way.Despite the brief stumble, Pope Francis appeared to be in good spirits as he greeted attendees and delivered his message of peace and unity. The incident serves as a reminder of the Pope’s advancing age and the physical challenges that come with it.
Fans of the Pontiff took to social media to express their well wishes and support for Pope Francis, with many praising his resilience and dedication to his duties. The stumble serves as a humbling reminder that even those in positions of power and authority are not immune to moments of vulnerability.
As Pope Francis continues to carry out his duties as the leader of the Catholic Church, we can only hope that he remains in good health and spirits. Let us all keep him in our thoughts and prayers as he navigates the demands of his role with grace and humility.
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Ralph Fiennes ‘thrilled’ to receive Oscars nomination for pope drama Conclave
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British film star Ralph Fiennes has said he is “thrilled” to receive a best actor Oscar nomination for his role in pope drama Conclave.
This year’s announcement saw Spanish-language musical Emilia Perez lead the way with 13 nominations while director Edward Berger’s film, about cardinals voting to elect the next pope, secured eight nods.
“I’m thrilled to be nominated and to be celebrating the other nominations for Conclave,” Fiennes said.
“Edward Berger brought an extraordinary cast and crew together – he is an inspirational director with rare insight and a unique vision which lies at the heart of this film.”
Also nominated is his co-star, Italian actress Isabella Rossellini, who reflected on how filmmaker David Lynch, who died earlier in the month, made an impact on her understanding of acting.
“When I was young, I was always identified as the daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini.
“As I’ve gotten older, this doesn’t happen as frequently; and, I miss it especially today.
“I wish my parents were alive to celebrate with me this great honour.
“And, also, today, with this joy, my mind can’t help lingering in the beyond to David Lynch.
“Our collaboration was key to my understanding of the art of acting. It is my past, all that I have in me, that I brought to my interpretation of Sister Agnes in the film Conclave, working under the clear, sharp direction of Edward Berger his incredible cast and crew, especially the incomparable Ralph Fiennes.
“Thank you to the Academy. I am very honoured.”
Screenwriter Peter Straughan added that it was an “enormous honour” and said his thoughts were “with the people of LA at this terrible time”, amid the wildfires.
Fiennes, known for playing Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series, will face off against Adrien Brody for immigrant tale The Brutalist, Timothee Chalamet for Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, about prisoners becoming part of a theatre group, at the Oscars ceremony in March.
Sebastian Stan is also up for the category for playing Donald Trump before he became the US president in The Apprentice.
Also leading the nominations are Wicked, based on the West End and Broadway musical of the same name, and The Brutalist on 10 nods, while A Complete Unknown is named in eight award categories.
They have all been nominated for the best picture, and acting categories, while The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown and Emilia Perez secured directing nods.
The nominations for the 97th Oscars were announced on Thursday at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Los Angeles, after being postponed twice amid the wildfires in the region.
Fiennes was last nominated in 1997 for his leading role as a Hungarian pilot and desert explorer in The English Patient, which came after his first nod in 1994 for war drama Schindler’s List, in which he played an Austrian Nazi official.
Up for a best actress Oscar is Erivo, who secured her second acting Oscar nod for musical The Wizard Of Oz prequel Wicked, along with new nominations for Mikey Madison for playing a stripper who falls for a Russian oligarch’s son in Anora, and Hollywood actress Demi Moore for body horror The Substance.
Spanish star Karla Sofia Gascon, who became the first transgender actress to be nominated, is also in the category for Emilia Perez alongside Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres for Portuguese-language film I’m Still Here, about a mother coping with the disappearance of her husband in 1970s authoritarian Brazil.
Torres, whose mother Fernanda Montenegro was nominated more than two decades ago for best actress for road trip movie Central Station, said: “To stand here today, representing Brazil in a lineage that began with my mother’s trailblazing journey, is both surreal and deeply moving.”
She also said portraying Brazilian lawyer Eunice Paiva “was an immense privilege, as it allowed me to embody a woman whose life was defined by extraordinary resilience and a quiet, unwavering strength”.
In the supporting actor categories, The Brutalist’s Felicity Jones has landed her second Oscar nomination as former Succession stars Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin secured their first Academy Awards nods.
Jones will compete against Emilia Perez star Zoe Saldana, for her role in the Netflix thriller about a Mexican drug lord who changes gender, and Italian-born US star Isabella Rossellini for playing a nun in papal election drama Conclave.
Also nominated in the category is US pop singer Ariana Grande for playing Glinda the good witch, an early friend to Erivo’s green-skinned character in Wicked, and Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown.
Grande wrote on Instagram that she “cannot stop crying” after the “unfathomable recognition”.
In the supporting actor category, Culkin, for playing a cousin to Jesse Eisenberg’s character who goes on a trip to retrace his Jewish grandmother’s past escaping the Holocaust in Poland in A Real Pain, and Strong, who portrayed former Trump mentor Roy Cohn in The Apprentice, are going head-to-head.
They were nominated alongside Russian actor Yura Borisov for Anora, and Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown and Australian star Guy Pearce for The Brutalist.
Meanwhile, Sir Elton John has secured his fifth original song nod after the release of his music documentary song Never Too Late for the Disney+ film Elton John: Never Too Late, about his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert tour.
The British singer-songwriter was nominated for The Lion King, winning for Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and also snapping up the gong for a second time with Sir Elton biopic Rocketman’s (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.
He will face competition from Emilia Perez, who has two songs El Mal, and Mi Camino up for original song, along with Sing Sing’s Like A Bird, and The Six Triple Eight’s The Journey.
Sir Elton hailed his latest Oscar nod as an “incredible honour” on Instagram, along with paying tribute to his collaborators Brandi Carlile, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt, and “to everyone who helped bring this beautiful song to the world”.
The best picture category is a crowded field with Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Emilia Perez, I’m Still Here, The Substance, and Wicked all nominated.
Also up for the prize is Chalamet-starring science fiction blockbuster Dune: Part Two, and Nickel Boys, based on the Colson Whitehead book of the same name about children sent to an abusive reform school in the 1960s.
James Mangold, who previously secured an adapted screenplay nod for co-writing Logan and a best picture nomination for producing Ford V Ferrari, has earned his first directing nod for A Complete Unknown.
The category also includes first time nominees Sean Baker for Anora, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, Jacques Audiard for Emilia Perez and Coralie Fargeat for The Substance.
Eric Fellner, co-chairman of Working Title films and co-producer on Fargeat’s film, said: “We were blessed with two amazing actresses who gave their all, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, and an incredibly talented French crew that made it all happen.
“We are all so grateful to the academy for these nominations”, he added.
For animated feature film, Wallace And Gromit are once again nominated for an Oscar gong after the release of the BBC Christmas hit Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – which sees the return of evil penguin Feathers McGraw from Academy Award-winning short The Wrong Trousers.
They will compete against Latvian cat film Flow, Inside Out 2, the second film from Disney that dramatises emotions in the brain, Memoir Of A Snail, starring Succession star Sarah Snook, and The Wild Robot.
Those who had been in the running for awards, but missed out on nominations include Oscar winner Nicole Kidman for erotic thriller Babygirl, and James Bond star Daniel Craig for Mexico-set Queer, about an older man pursuing the love of a young man.
The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with first-time host Conan O’Brien taking the helm this year.
British TV presenter Jonathan Ross will return as host of ITV’s Oscars companion show this March for the second year running, accompanied by celebrity guests and film experts to discuss nominated films on the night.
Ralph Fiennes has once again proven his acting prowess with his latest film, Conclave, as he has been nominated for an Oscar for his outstanding performance. The talented actor expressed his excitement and gratitude for the nomination, stating that he is “thrilled” to be recognized for his work in the pope drama.Fiennes plays the role of a cardinal in the film, which follows the intense and secretive process of electing a new pope in the Vatican. His portrayal of the character has been hailed as powerful and gripping, showcasing his ability to immerse himself in complex and challenging roles.
Having already received critical acclaim for his work in films such as Schindler’s List and The English Patient, Fiennes’ Oscars nomination for Conclave further solidifies his status as one of the most talented actors in the industry.
Fans and critics alike are eagerly anticipating the Oscars ceremony to see if Fiennes will take home the prestigious award. In the meantime, the actor is basking in the joy of being recognized for his exceptional performance in Conclave.
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You HAVE to see this throwback video of Mark Pope blocking Kobe Bryant
Sometimes, the internet is an awesome place. For example: we now have a nearly 25-year-old video of a young Mark Pope blocking an even younger Kobe Bryant.
What started as an homage to Pope’s playing days in the NBA through a simple thread on social media quickly turned into something none of us have likely ever seen before. @rarerookies on X/Twitter posted a handful of old Pope photos from over two decades ago. Kentucky’s head coach was battling the likes of Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, and many others during his stint (153 games played from 1997-2005) in the NBA.
But one picture stood out above the rest: Pope, 29 at the time, defending the late Kobe Bryant, 23, on a post-up. One hoops junkie was actually able to find that exact play. It was from a preseason game between Pope’s Milwaukee Bucks and Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers prior to the 2001-02 season. @zak123_2025 discovered video of the moment, which is better than you’d think. In the middle of the first quarter, Pope actually blocks Bryant’s shot as Bryant attempted a tough one-legged runner in the middle of the paint.
“Pope knocks it down his throat,” the announcer says.
Unfortunately, stats are hard to come by for this random preseason game on Oct. 25, 2001. So we don’t know exactly how Pope performed throughout this game. But this was right in the middle of his two-year run with the Bucks, easily his best stretch as an NBA player. He averaged 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 15 minutes per outing (63 games played) the season prior in 2000-01 before averaging 1.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per contest in 2001-02 (45 games played).
Pope’s coaching career has panned out more favorably than his playing career, but he’ll always be able to say he blocked Kobe Bryant’s shot. Not many can make that claim.
Hey basketball fans! You HAVE to see this incredible throwback video of Mark Pope blocking Kobe Bryant. It’s a moment that will go down in history as one of the greatest defensive plays of all time. Check it out now and relive this epic moment! #NBA #Throwback #MarkPope #KobeBryant #BasketballHistory
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Sodality of Christian Life dissolved by Pope Francis, apostolate confirms
ACI Prensa Staff, Jan 20, 2025 / 17:20 pm
The Sodality of Christian Life confirmed on Monday that Pope Francis has decided to dissolve the society of apostolic life without going into further details about how the process will be carried out.
The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV, by its Latin acronym) issued a statement following the news published on Saturday by Infovaticana, according to which Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda supposedly announced the dissolution to its members gathered for the general assembly that is taking place in Aparecida, Brazil.
The general assembly began on Jan. 6 and will end Jan. 31. Ghirlanda is attending in his capacity as consultant for the process of revising the constitutions of the Sodalitium and is its delegate for formation, a task entrusted to him by the Vatican in 2019.
In its statement on Monday, the SCV said: “On Jan. 18 of this year, the website ‘Infovaticana’ published the news that the Holy Father had dissolved our society of apostolic life. The main information about what occurred was true, but it contained several inaccuracies.”
In its text, the Sodalitium does not indicate what the inaccuracies are but clarifies that the leak to the press of this “confidential” information did not come from Ghirlanda but from two members of the sodality who violated “the confidentiality of the case” and who have been expelled from the assembly.
“The assembly recognizes as its own only the news from its official communications; therefore, the assembly disassociates itself from all other news that has come out or may come out from the press related to the assembly, to the Sodalitium, to the Holy Father, in whom we trust and whom we obey, to Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu Farnós, and to Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ,” the SCV stated.
According to Infovaticana, the decree of dissolution “refers to the immorality of the founder, Luis Fernando Figari, as an indication of the nonexistence of a founding charism, and therefore, the lack of ecclesial legitimacy for the permanence of the institution.”
Figari was expelled from the SCV by Pope Francis in August 2024. The Holy See had already sanctioned him in 2017 and banned him from having contact with any member of this society after it was proven that he committed sexual abuse and the abuse of power.
According to Infovaticano, the Vatican supposedly appointed Bertomeu, a member of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, as commissioner responsible for the dissolution process. The Spanish priest was part of the special mission that the pontiff sent to Peru in July 2023 to investigate the accusations against members of the Sodalitium.
The SCV was founded in Lima, Peru, in 1971 and currently is also present in Italy, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Eduardo Berdejo has a Journalism degree from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru). He has been a member of the ACI Prensa team since 2001. He has covered Pope Francis’ visits to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. He also holds a diploma in Comparative Literature from the University of Piura (Peru) and has completed the Comprehensive Course on Style Correction at the Lima Publishing School (Peru).
In a shocking turn of events, Pope Francis has officially dissolved the Sodality of Christian Life, a prominent apostolate within the Catholic Church. This decision has sent shockwaves throughout the Christian community, as the Sodality has long been known for its dedication to serving the Church and spreading the Gospel.Despite the dissolution, members of the apostolate have confirmed that they will continue their mission of faith and service, even without the official recognition of the Church. In a statement released by the Sodality, they expressed their commitment to following Christ and living out their faith in their daily lives.
While the reasons behind Pope Francis’ decision to dissolve the Sodality remain unclear, members of the apostolate have vowed to remain faithful to their calling and continue to spread the message of Christ. As they navigate this uncertain time, they ask for prayers and support from their fellow Christians.
The dissolution of the Sodality of Christian Life may be a setback, but the apostolate’s commitment to their faith and mission remains steadfast. They are determined to continue their work, despite this unexpected turn of events.
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Sodality of Christian Life, Pope Francis, apostolate, dissolution, Christian community, Catholic news, religious organization, Church leadership, spiritual community, faith-based organization
#Sodality #Christian #Life #dissolved #Pope #Francis #apostolate #confirmsPope dissolves Peru-based conservative Catholic movement after abuses uncovered by Vatican
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has taken the remarkable step of dissolving a Peruvian-based Catholic movement, the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, after years of attempts at reform and a Vatican investigation. The probe uncovered sexual abuses by its founder, financial mismanagement by its leaders and spiritual abuses by its top members.
The Sodalitium on Monday confirmed the dissolution, which was conveyed to an assembly of its members in Aparecida, Brazil this weekend by Francis’ top legal adviser Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda. In revealing the dissolution in a statement, the group lamented that news of Francis’ decision had been leaked by two members attending the assembly, who were “definitively expelled.”
It provided no details, saying only that the “central information” about the dissolution that was reported by Spanish-language site Infovaticana “was true but it contained several inaccuracies.” It didn’t say what the inaccuracies were.
The Vatican has not responded to several requests for comment. Dissolution, or suppression, of a pontifically recognized religious movement is a major undertaking for a pope, all the more so for a Jesuit pope given the Jesuit religious order was itself suppressed in the 1700s.
The SCV dissolution, which had been rumored, marks a final end to what has amounted to a slow death of the movement, which was founded in 1971 as one of several Catholic societies born as a conservative reaction to the left-leaning liberation theology movement that swept through Latin America in the 1960s.
At its height, the group counted about 20,000 members across South America and the United States. It was enormously influential in Peru and has its U.S. base in Denver.
But former members complained to the Lima archdiocese in 2011 about abuses by its founder, Luis Figari, and other claims date to 2000. But neither the local church nor the Holy See took concrete action until one of the victims, Pedro Salinas, wrote a book along with journalist Paola Ugaz detailing the twisted practices of the Sodalitium in 2015, entitled “Half Monks, Half Soldiers.”
In 2017, a report commissioned by the group’s leadership determined that Figari sodomized his recruits and subjected them to humiliating psychological and other sexual abuses.
After an attempt at reform, Francis sent his two most trusted investigators, Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, to look into the Sodalitium abuses. Their report uncovered “sadistic” sect-like abuses of power, authority and spirituality, economic abuses in administering church money and even journalistic abuses of harassing critics.
Their report resulted in the expulsions last year of Figari and 10 top members, including an archbishop who had sued Salinas and Ugaz for their reporting and was forced to retire early.
Salinas, who has long called for the SCV to be suppressed, said word of Francis’ decree was “extraordinary” albeit belated since the first denunciations date from 25 years ago. He praised Scicluna and Bertomeu, as well as the new prefect of the Vatican’s office for religious orders, Sister Simona Brambilla, since she is ultimately responsible for the SCV.
“And of course without the personal commitment of Pope Francis in this long history of impunity, nothing would have happened,” Salinas said, identifying complicit Peruvian institutions and bishops who “preferred to look the other way instead of accompanying the Argentine pontiff in his struggle for a Catholic Church without abuse.”
It remains unknown what will become of the assets of the Sodalitium, which victims want to be used as compensation for their trauma. According to the code of canon law, only the Holy See can suppress an institute such as the SCV and “a decision regarding the temporal goods of the institute is also reserved to the Apostolic See.”
Renzo Orbegozo of Grapevine, Texas, a victim of the movement, welcomed the dissolution of the group to which he belonged from 1995-2008 and said he hoped current members will realize the deception they have been living with.
“The Sodalitium is really a social scourge disguised as a Catholic association,” he said. “With time the current Sodalits will understand this, they will realize that they were only a number and not a real concern of the sect.”
His comments echoed those of the current archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, who in a recent essay called the group a “failed experiment” of the church in Latin America and urged its suppression.
“My hypothesis is that the Sodalitium obeys a political project,” Castillo wrote in El País. “It is the resurrection of fascism in Latin America, artfully using the church by means of sectarian methods.”
Francis’ willingness to suppress the movement outright contrasts with the decision taken by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, when faced with another powerful and wealthy Latin American conservative order, the Legionaries of Christ.
Faced with similar evidence of depravity by its founder and a lack of a founding spirit, or charism, underpinning the Legion, Benedict decided instead in 2010 on a path of renewal, overriding calls for the Legion to be suppressed.
___
Briceño contributed from Lima, Peru.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
In a shocking turn of events, Pope Francis has made the decision to dissolve a Peru-based conservative Catholic movement after numerous cases of abuse were uncovered by the Vatican.The movement, known as the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, has been under scrutiny for years due to allegations of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse of its members. The Vatican launched an investigation into the group in 2017, and the findings were deeply troubling.
Pope Francis has taken a strong stance against abuse within the Catholic Church, and his decision to dissolve the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae is a clear indication of his commitment to rooting out misconduct and protecting the vulnerable.
It is a sad day when any organization within the Church is found to have engaged in such egregious behavior, but it is heartening to see Pope Francis taking decisive action to address the issue. Let us pray for healing and justice for all those affected by the abuses within the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, and for a renewed sense of accountability and transparency within the Church as a whole.
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#Pope #dissolves #Perubased #conservative #Catholic #movement #abuses #uncovered #Vatican
Pope dissolves Peru-based Catholic movement after ‘sadistic abuses’ | Peru
Pope Francis has taken the remarkable step of dissolving a Peruvian-based Catholic movement, the Sodalitium of Christian Life (SCV), after years of attempts at reform and a Vatican investigation. The investigation uncovered sexual abuses by its founder, financial mismanagement by its leaders and spiritual abuses by its top members.
The Sodalitium on Monday confirmed the dissolution, which was conveyed to an assembly of its members in Aparecida, Brazil at the weekend by the pope’s top legal adviser, Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda. In revealing the dissolution in a statement, the group lamented that news of Francis’s decision had been leaked by two members attending the assembly, who were “definitively expelled”.
It provided no details, saying only that the “central information” about the dissolution that was reported by the Spanish-language site Infovaticana “was true but it contained several inaccuracies”. It did not say what the inaccuracies were.
The Vatican has not responded to several requests for comment. Dissolution – or suppression – of a pontifically recognised religious movement is a significant undertaking for a pope, all the more so for a Jesuit pope, given the Jesuit religious order was itself suppressed in the 1700s.
The SCV dissolution, which had been rumoured, marks an end to what has amounted to a slow death of the movement, which was founded in 1971. It was one of several Catholic societies born as a conservative reaction to the left-leaning liberation theology movement that swept through Latin America.
At its height, the group counted about 20,000 members across South America and the US. It was enormously influential in Peru.
Former members complained to the Lima archdiocese in 2011 about abuses by its founder, Luis Figari, and other claims date back to 2000. But neither the local church nor the Holy See took concrete action until one of the victims, Pedro Salinas, wrote a book along with journalist Paola Ugaz detailing the practices of the Sodalitium in 2015, entitled Half Monks, Half Soldiers.
In 2017, a report commissioned by the group’s leadership determined that Figari subjected his recruits to humiliating sexual and psychological abuse.
After an attempt at reform, Francis sent his two most trusted investigators, Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, to look into the Sodalitium abuses. Their report uncovered “sadistic” sect-like abuses of power, authority and spirituality; economic abuses in administering church money; and even journalistic abuses of harassing critics.
The report resulted in the expulsions last year of Figari and 10 top members, including an archbishop who had sued Salinas and Ugaz for their reporting and was earlier forced to retire early.
Salinas, who has long called for the SCV to be suppressed, said word of Francis’s decree was “extraordinary”, albeit belated since the first denunciations dated from 25 years ago. He praised Scicluna and Bertomeu, as well as the new prefect of the Vatican’s office for religious orders, Sister Simona Brambilla, since she is ultimately responsible for the SCV.
“And of course without the personal commitment of Pope Francis in this long history of impunity, nothing would have happened,” Salinas said, identifying complicit Peruvian institutions and bishops who “preferred to look the other way instead of accompanying the Argentine pontiff in his struggle for a Catholic church without abuse”.
It remains unknown what will become of the assets of the Sodalitium, which victims want to be used as compensation for their trauma. According to the code of canon law, only the Holy See can suppress an institute such as the SCV and “a decision regarding the temporal goods of the institute is also reserved to the Apostolic See”.
The Pope has taken decisive action against a Peru-based Catholic movement after reports of “sadistic abuses” within the organization. In a shocking move, Pope Francis announced the dissolution of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV) after a Vatican investigation uncovered widespread abuse and manipulation within the group.The SCV, founded in Peru in 1971, has long been embroiled in controversy over allegations of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse of its members. The Vatican investigation found that the group’s founder, Luis Fernando Figari, had engaged in “systematic physical, psychological, and sexual abuse” of members, including minors.
Pope Francis described the abuses as “sadistic” and “perverse,” and called for the dissolution of the SCV to prevent further harm to its members. The decision to dissolve the group marks a significant step in the Pope’s efforts to address the issue of abuse within the Catholic Church.
The Pope’s actions have been met with both support and criticism, with some praising his swift response to the allegations and others questioning why it took so long for action to be taken. However, the dissolution of the SCV sends a clear message that the Catholic Church will not tolerate abuse in any form, and that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
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Pope describes Trump’s planned deportations of immigrants as a ‘disgrace’
CNN
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Pope Francis has criticized US President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport immigrants as a “disgrace.”
The pontiff, speaking during an Italian television interview, was asked about the incoming Trump administration’s plans to expel undocumented immigrants through an aggressive slate of immigration executive orders by the incoming president, who will be inaugurated Monday.
“If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing to pay the unpaid bill. It won’t do. This is not the way to solve things,” Francis said during the Sunday interview.
The Pope has made advocacy for migrants a key part of his papacy, insisting they should be welcomed and integrated into societies.
It’s also a topic which resonates personally with Francis. In his new autobiography, the Pope recalled how his paternal grandparents and father had planned to sail in 1927 on the Principessa Mafalda from Italy to Argentina, which sank with the loss of many lives, but ended up making a later crossing.
Francis has signaled that he is ready to take a critical approach to the new Trump administration with his appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy as the next Archbishop of Washington, DC.
McElroy has described mass deportations of immigrants as “incompatible with Catholic doctrine.”
On Sunday, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, also criticized the deportation plans. In 2016, Francis suggested then-presidential candidate Trump was “not Christian” for his anti-immigration views.
Francis made his latest remarks in an interview with the talk show “Che Tempo Che Fa” broadcast on Nove, which is owned by CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.
During the interview, the Pope also said he was appointing a nun, Sister Raffaella Petrini, as president of the commission which governs the Vatican City State.
Petrini will take over from a cardinal in her new role and is expected to take up her position in March. He appointment follows the Pope’s decision earlier this month to appoint the first female leader of a Vatican department.
The Pope also said that his arm, which had been in a sling after he injured it in a fall, is now “moving better.”
In a recent statement, Pope Francis has described President Trump’s planned deportations of immigrants as a ‘disgrace’. The Pope emphasized the importance of showing compassion and understanding towards those who are seeking a better life, stating that everyone has the right to live with dignity and security.The Pope’s comments come as the Trump administration continues to push for stricter immigration policies and increased deportations. The Pope’s words serve as a reminder of the need for empathy and kindness in dealing with the complex issue of immigration.
Many have praised the Pope for speaking out on this important issue and for standing up for the rights of immigrants. It remains to be seen how President Trump will respond to the Pope’s criticism, but the message is clear: compassion and respect should always be at the forefront of our immigration policies.
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