Articles by AC Wimmer
Former U.S. nuncio Viganò to undergo Church trial for schism, rejecting Pope Francis
Jun 20, 2024 / 14:19 pm“I have been summoned to the Palace of the Holy Office on June 20, in person or represented by a canon lawyer,” Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò wrote on X.
German Catholics write letter to Rome over Synodal Way, warn of ‘serious scandal’
Jun 13, 2024 / 12:00 pmA Catholic committee has turned to the Vatican in an attempt to avoid a permanent Synodal Council to oversee the Church in Germany.
Bishops urge EU leaders to tackle voter disillusionment following elections
Jun 11, 2024 / 14:45 pmThe bishops’ commission underscored the pressing issue of persistent voter disengagement and the alarming rise of nationalist, Euroskeptic parties.
Amid abortion debate, Polish bishops urge protection of the unborn
Jun 11, 2024 / 09:30 amA letter issued by the bishops on the protection of life comes amid growing pressure from lawmakers to dismantle Poland’s strong pro-life protections.
Cardinals Müller and Schönborn: Ordination of women is impossible
Jun 10, 2024 / 13:45 pmThe two German-speaking cardinals have said publicly that only men can be ordained to the priesthood.
Archbishop warns of religious freedom erosion in Australia, calls for ‘saints for our time’
Jun 10, 2024 / 06:00 amSydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher raised the alarm over Australia’s incremental erosion of religious freedom and called for committed action.
Dutch bishop: Fiducia Supplicans too much ‘in tune with zeitgeist’
Jun 7, 2024 / 16:45 pmAuxiliary Bishop Rob Mutsaerts of the Netherlands warned: “Peace at the expense of morality and truth” is a “most merciless peace imaginable.”
Vatican clears New Zealand Cardinal John Dew of abuse allegations
Jun 5, 2024 / 09:15 amThe allegation of historical sexual abuse had been raised against Dew around the time he retired as archbishop of Wellington in May 2023.
Netherlands permits euthanasia for physically healthy 29-year-old woman
Jun 4, 2024 / 09:45 amDespite being physically healthy, the woman from Oldenzaal, a town near the German border, chose to end her life due to mental health issues.
Catholic doctors, ethicists criticize Pontifical Academy for Life
May 31, 2024 / 09:47 amExperts argue that a book published by the Pontifical Academy book spreads “misleading and confusing” theological and medical information.
German president laments Church’s diminished role at ‘Catholics Day’
May 30, 2024 / 15:15 pmBoth Pope Francis and the German president addressed participants at the national Catholic event underway this week.
Benedictine Bishop Dominicus Meier replaces Bode in Osnabrück Diocese in Germany
May 30, 2024 / 13:45 pmThe Diocese of Osnabrück in northwestern Germany will be led by a Benedictine monk and bishop: Dominicus Meier will follow in the footsteps of Franz-Josef Bode.
German bishops praise constitution on 75th anniversary of post-Nazi era
May 24, 2024 / 15:34 pmGerman bishops have lauded their country’s constitution as a beacon of freedom as the nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Grundgesetz, or Basic Law.
Australian Mass attendance dropped during pandemic restrictions, but young adults show up
May 24, 2024 / 13:32 pmA new report by the Church in Australia shows a drop in Mass attendance in 2021 while also highlighting an unexpected increase in young adult participation.
German priests do not support Synodal Way, new study finds
May 21, 2024 / 12:56 pmThe study, officially titled “Who Becomes a Priest?”, found that priests are “alienated from the concerns of Church reform,” lead author Matthias Sellmann said May 17.
Cardinal Hollerich urges caution, dialogue on women’s ordination
May 20, 2024 / 14:44 pmThe cardinal said the prohibition against ordaining women was “not an infallible doctrinal decision” and could be changed over time with arguments.
Vatican overturns own decision on seminary dean
May 17, 2024 / 10:13 amThe Vatican now approved the appointment of Father Martin M. Lintner, OSM, as a new dean at a seminary in Northern Italy almost one year after first blocking it.
Slovak bishops call for peace after assassination attempt on prime minister
May 16, 2024 / 13:24 pmFollowing the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday, Slovakian bishops have called for peace and unity.
Australian archbishop faces criticism over pastoral letter on human dignity
May 14, 2024 / 15:22 pmArchbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart in Australia released the four-page document titled “We are Salt to the Earth” on May 2.
Germany now a ‘mission country,’ Bishop Bätzing says amid declining Catholic numbers
May 14, 2024 / 09:32 amThe president of the German Bishops’ Conference has called Germany — a nation whose history is entangled with the Catholic Church — a “mission country.”