Articles by JD Flynn
Gregorian University to ‘review’ bishop’s allegedly plagiarized dissertation
Jan 17, 2020 / 11:11 amThe Pontifical Gregorian University said Friday it will review the doctoral dissertation of Scotland’s Bishop Stephen Robson, which is alleged to contain several acts of plagiarism.
Rossi investigation still 'underway,' 4 months after it began.
Jan 15, 2020 / 16:40 pmFour months after the Diocese of Scranton began looking into allegations against the rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a spokesman for the diocese said the investigation is not yet concluded.
Scotland's Bishop Robson accused of plagiarism in dissertation
Jan 15, 2020 / 14:15 pmA Scottish bishop accused of committing plagiarism in his doctoral dissertation told CNA that while he never intentionally committed any act of plagiarism, he will accept whatever consequences might come from the accusation.
Analysis: After investigation, when will Pope Francis act on Hoeppner?
Jan 14, 2020 / 16:30 pmHoeppner is unique among his brother bishops: he is the first U.S. bishop to be investigated under the norms of Vos estis lux mundi, the 2018 policy from Pope Francis on investigating bishops accused of mishandling or obstructing allegations of clerical sexual abuse.
Ignatius Press to keep Benedict XVI listed as coauthor of new celibacy book
Jan 14, 2020 / 10:32 amAmid still-unfolding controversy surrounding a new book on priestly celibacy, the book’s US publisher says it plans to continue identifying pope emeritus Benedict XVI as coauthor of the text. The former pope’s private secretary requested Tuesday that Benedict not be listed as a coauthor.
Analysis: Why the McCarrick report could be delayed
Jan 8, 2020 / 14:33 pmThe news that Theodore McCarrick recently moved from the Kansas friary where he had been living has fueled speculation that a report from the Vatican’s internal investigation on McCarrick will soon be released. But while the report may be completed in Rome, its release may not be imminent, and some U.S. bishops may be quietly hoping for further delays.
Theodore McCarrick has moved from Kansas friary
Jan 7, 2020 / 11:00 amThe disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick has moved from the Kansas friary where he had been living since 2018.
Analysis: Action on pontifical secrecy widely praised, but US Catholics still waiting on McCarrick
Dec 17, 2019 / 15:22 pmIn a pair of unexpected decrees issued Tuesday morning, Pope Francis removed the obligation of pontifical secrecy from clerical sexual abuse cases, and strengthened the Church’s canonical prohibition against the possession of child pornography.
Analysis: The Vatican's finance scandal, and faithful stewardship
Dec 16, 2019 / 15:40 pmThe Vatican’s unfolding financial scandal has not yet led to action at the Vatican. To understand why, it’s important to understand something about the scandal itself.
Diocese of Rochester confirms it requested Fulton Sheen beatification delay
Dec 5, 2019 / 12:50 pmThe Diocese of Rochester confirmed on Thursday that it had requested a delay of the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, which had been scheduled for Dec. 21 until it was postponed indefinitely earlier this week.
Rochester bishop requested Fulton Sheen beatification delay
Dec 4, 2019 / 14:00 pmThe beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen was delayed at the request of Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester.
Michigan diocese supports priest accused of LGBT Eucharist 'discrimination'
Nov 27, 2019 / 18:55 pmA Michigan diocese said it supports a priest who told a parishioner that because of her same-sex civil marriage, she should not receive the Eucharist.
Cardinal Parolin says he arranged controversial hospital loan, Papal Foundation grant
Nov 20, 2019 / 10:26 amThe Vatican Secretary of State told CNA this week that he is responsible for arranging a controversial loan for the purchase of a bankrupt Italian hospital, and that he arranged with Cardinal Donald Wuerl a grant from the U.S.-based Papal Foundation to cover the loan when it could not be repaid.
Analysis: The USCCB 'abortion debate,' and what came after
Nov 14, 2019 / 17:45 pmOn Tuesday, 69 U.S. bishops voted against the inclusion of a paragraph in a letter they plan to soon publish. Within hours, a conservative social media figure said those bishops “are not Catholic,” and ignited an online firestorm. Here’s how that happened.
‘I just wanted to be a priest’: Archbishop Gomez elected president of USCCB
Nov 12, 2019 / 07:25 amBorn in Mexico and ordained a priest in Spain, Gomez is the first Latino to lead the bishops’ conference. He is also the first immigrant to head the conference.
Analysis: USCCB elections and the Church's theological vision
Nov 10, 2019 / 16:46 pmThe U.S. bishops’ conference fall meeting is unlikely to offer any surprises to Church observers watching the assembly. In fact, while the meeting will begin Monday, its only real surprise came weeks ago, when the list of candidates for the conference presidency and vice presidency was published.
Minnesota bishop kept admitted child abuser in ministry, did not investigate allegation of abuse
Nov 5, 2019 / 14:05 pmDepositions of Crookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner were released today, in which the bishop admits that he did not properly address allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest that an alleged victim brought to him in 2011.
Biden communion denial was required by diocesan policy
Oct 30, 2019 / 15:08 pmA policy in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina requires priests to withhold the Eucharist from politicians and political candidates who support legal protection for abortion.
Analysis: Why 'Pachamama' took a dip
Oct 26, 2019 / 09:21 amThe “Pachamama” splash heard ‘round the world is evidence that among some Vatican leaders, a commitment to 'dialogue' is still needed, far beyond the pan-Amazonian region.
Analysis: A pink dolphin, a carved image, and inculturation at the Amazon synod
Oct 16, 2019 / 11:40 amAt a “moment of Amazon spirituality” Oct. 16, in a church just down the street from St. Peter’s Square, a woman told the Amazonian folk tale of a pink river dolphin who seduced a village girl. The story, and the conversation that ensued, is a poignant example of questions raised about the Vatican’s Amazon synod, and about the meaning of calls to “inculturate” the Gospel.