Vatican, China Make Deal on Appointments of Bishops

FRANCES D'EMILIO / The Associated Press Sep 22, 2018 The "provisional agreement" resolves one of the major sticking points in recent years and may pave the way for formal diplomatic ties between the Holy See and Beijing after seven decades. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Pope Francis Abandons Proposal to Prosecute Bishops for Covering Up Abuse

Staff / Truthdig Jun 5, 2016 Although the pontiff initially proposed a tribunal that would hold bishops accountable for protecting pedophile priests, he announced Saturday that he will instead clarify existing legal procedures. Although the pontiff initially proposed a tribunal that would hold bishops accountable for protecting pedophile priests, he announced Saturday that he will instead clarify existing legal procedures. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Pope Francis’ Synod: Change Is in the Air, but Not Yet on the Books

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Oct 20, 2014 On Sunday, Pope Francis wrapped up the synod, or bishops meeting, he presided over for the last two weeks with a beatification service at the Vatican for Pope Paul VI but without significant progress made on hot-button topics such as homosexuality, divorce and contraception. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Francis

Signe Wilkinson / Truthdig Oct 15, 2014 Dig deeper

Smokin’ Bishop

Steve Sack, Cagle Cartoons, The Minneapolis Star Tribune Oct 12, 2013 Dig deeper

God Picks a New Pope

Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com Feb 18, 2013 Dig deeper

Catholic Bishop Resigns Over Secret Family

Staff / Truthdig Jan 4, 2012 It certainly is difficult to uphold a vow of celibacy when confronted by the contradictory evidence embodied in two teenage children, and this is the reason why a Los Angeles-area bishop, Gabino Zavala, recently resigned from his vaunted position within the Catholic Church. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Alabama Bishops Condemn Immigration Law

Staff / Truthdig Aug 13, 2011 A broad and controversial immigration enforcement law in Alabama has even religious leaders in the state uneasy because many of them believe the law stands in their way of being good Christians. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Pope Doesn’t Let Irish Bishops Resign

Staff / Truthdig Aug 11, 2010 Two Catholic bishops in Ireland attempted to resign late last year in the midst of a scandal about widespread sexual abuse occurring in their Dublin diocese, but Pope Benedict XVI wasn't having it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Vatican Says Bishops Aren’t Employees

Staff / Truthdig May 17, 2010 In an effort to keep a rising legal flood below the chin, the Vatican is prepared to argue that bishops are not employees of the church, therefore the church shouldn't be held responsible for their sometimes nefarious behavior related to allegations of sexual abuse. We're not lawyers, but that seems pretty ridiculous. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Threatens to Cancel U.K. Trip

Staff / Truthdig Apr 25, 2010 It seems the pope can't take a joke. The Vatican is threatening to cancel a visit to Britain by Benedict XVI after a leaked Foreign Office memo gave suggestions that included a "Benedict condom." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

European Catholic Clergy Faces Fallout From Sex Scandal

Staff / Truthdig Apr 22, 2010 Two more high-profile figures are paying the price for their parts, however direct or oblique, in the child abuse scandal still rippling through the ranks of the Catholic church By Thursday, the Vatican had officially retired . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )