Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Vatican says yes to gay people, no to blessing gay unions
By Thomas Reese — March 16, 2021
(RNS) — How will the Vatican welcome gays ‘with respect and sensitivity’ while saying no to blessing gay unions?
Vatican causes chaos by invalidating baptism formula
By Thomas Reese — September 15, 2020
(RNS) — The real problem is that the Vatican is treating the traditional words of baptism like a computer password.
Netflix’s ‘Messiah’ is not my Jesus
By Thomas Reese — February 19, 2020
(RNS) — Netflix’s 'Messiah' is intriguing, but in the end, good television makes for bad theology.
How can the church punish bad bishops?
By Thomas Reese — July 30, 2018
(RNS) The church has no more power over a priest than any corporation has over an employee. A priest or bishop can refuse to accept punishment and simply walk away.
Humanae Vitae: Sex and authority in the Catholic Church
By Thomas Reese — July 20, 2018
(RNS) — Many Catholics left the church over the teaching, but even more stayed and simply ignored it, giving rise to the concept of 'cafeteria Catholics,' who picked and chose which teachings they would accept.
The challenge to Catholicism’s consistent ethic of economic life
By Mark Silk — May 22, 2018
It's internal, and it's been going on for over 30 years.
Vatican document on economic ethics is a dismal read on a timely topic
By Thomas Reese — May 21, 2018
(RNS) — The Vatican's new document on economic ethics, 'Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones,' gives theological backing to Pope Francis’ views on the economy, one of the major themes of his papacy. Too bad it's so badly written its timely and important message may not get read.
Scandals in the Catholic Church: Bad news and good news
By Thomas Reese — September 19, 2017
(RNS) — 'The Vatican is injuring itself by not being more forthcoming in handling accusations of child abuse against one of its diplomats,' writes Tom Reese.
Vatican to Catholics: Cremation can be OK, but don’t scatter ashes!
By Josephine McKenna — October 25, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) New guidelines also forbid loved ones from dividing up the 'cremains' or keeping them in jewelry or on the mantelpiece.
Breaking silence, US nuns say Vatican probe cleared up confusion, reinforced their mission
By David Gibson — May 15, 2015
(RNS) After a monthlong media blackout, U.S. nuns are talking about the Vatican investigation that ended abruptly last month. Just don't call it a "win."
TIMELINE: The long and contentious duel between Rome and American nuns
By David Gibson — April 16, 2015
(RNS) Starting in 2008, the Vatican wanted to make sure American nuns were toeing the line. That inquiry ended Thursday.
Vatican ends controversial investigation of US nuns with olive branch
By David Gibson — April 16, 2015
(RNS) The statement and final report seemed to represent a quiet and merciful end to what had been a noisy showdown between Rome and the nuns -- and one the Vatican never seemed likely to win.
Pope Francis orders accused envoy Jozef Wesolowski put under house arrest
By Josephine McKenna — September 23, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A bishop from the Dominican Republic was recently reported saying he was shocked to see former Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski walking freely on the streets of central Rome.
Vatican’s doctrinal chief renews criticism of US nuns, says he’s no misogynist
By David Gibson — September 2, 2014
(RNS) " ... We don’t want to gobble up a woman a day!” Cardinal Gerhard Mueller told L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s semiofficial newspaper, in the edition published on Monday (Sept. 1).
US nuns to honor feminist theologian while keeping politics at bay
By Heidi Hall — August 15, 2014
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) A top Vatican official warned the nuns in April that honoring Sister Elizabeth Johnson, a longtime Fordham University professor, would be considered provoking the Holy See and U.S. bishops.
