Eric J. Lyman
Eric J. Lyman is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Eric J. Lyman
Animal rights activists push Vatican not to release doves ‘to certain death’
By Eric J. Lyman — January 28, 2014
ROME (RNS) The Italian National Animal Protection Agency said that because the doves are bred in captivity and lack strong survival instincts, releasing them into the wild as is often done at the Vatican "is like condemning them to certain death."
Vial of Pope John Paul II’s blood stolen from Italian church
By Eric J. Lyman — January 27, 2014
ROME (RNS) The thief or thieves made off with a large crucifix and a gold reliquary containing the vial of the blood of John Paul, who will be proclaimed a saint in April.
Pope Francis meets scandal-scarred French President Francois Hollande
By Eric J. Lyman — January 24, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The jury is still out on whether the audience with the popular pontiff would help repair Hollande's tarnished image at home.
Vatican defends sex abuse record to U.N. panel
By Eric J. Lyman — January 16, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's top spokesman said critics "presuppose that bishops or religious superiors act as representatives or delegates of the pope -- (though this is) utterly without foundation.”
Pope Francis shakes up Vatican Bank, sets financial cap for sainthood
By Eric J. Lyman — January 15, 2014
ROME (RNS) The most high-profile figure sacked on Wednesday was Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was Pope Benedict XVI's secretary of state and the face of administrative woes of Benedict's papacy.
John Kerry makes first Vatican visit, hints at Obama meeting with Pope Francis
By Eric J. Lyman — January 14, 2014
ROME (RNS) A short release from the Holy See indicated the two men discussed health care reform, which has sparked intense opposition from American bishops.
Vatican’s illegal downloads include ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Lesbian Hair Salon’
By Eric J. Lyman — January 10, 2014
ROME (RNS) "Usually, you see a lot of downloads of the latest blockbusters or new television series," said TorrentFreak founder Ernesto Van der Sar. "But there is almost none of that at the Vatican.”
Thomas Melady, former U.S. envoy to the Vatican, dies at 86
By Eric J. Lyman — January 8, 2014
(ROME) As U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Thomas Melady he was instrumental in influencing Pope John Paul II's Vatican to recognize Israel as a sovereign state.
Former Swiss Guard reports unwanted advances from clergy
By Eric J. Lyman — January 6, 2014
ROME (RNS) The former member of the Swiss Guards reported the unwanted attention to his superiors, but was told he misunderstood the conversations, which he said took place in Italian, a language the guard conceded he did not speak fluently.
Soaring attendance at Vatican events since Francis’ election
By Eric J. Lyman — January 2, 2014
ROME (RNS) Some 735,000 people attended Vatican events during each of the nine months of Pope Francis' papacy, according to information released Thursday by the Holy See. It's the highest average recorded in recent years.
Gay magazine The Advocate picks Pope Francis as its Person of the Year
By Eric J. Lyman — December 17, 2013
ROME (RNS) The Advocate's recognition of the pontiff is significant because an LGBT publication is such an unlikely place to find homage to a pope.
Pope Francis directs Curia to hear confessions
By Eric J. Lyman — December 17, 2013
ROME (RNS) As part of Pope Francis' pastoral reforms, all 44 members of the Roman curia, or governing body, must take turns hearing confession at a church near the Vatican.
Alleged miracle puts Pope Paul VI one step closer to sainthood
By Eric J. Lyman — December 13, 2013
ROME (RNS) Paul VI was a pivotal pope for the Roman Catholic Church, even as he is sometimes overshadowed by the more charismatic papacies of John XXIII and John Paul II.
Meet the priests of Italy’s ‘Roman beefcake’ calendar
By Eric J. Lyman — December 12, 2013
ROME (RNS) "It's about marketing," said Piero Pazzi, the photographer behind the annual calendar featuring attractive priests of Italy. "It's a souvenir, not a statement of any kind."
Time names Pope Francis its Person of the Year
By Eric J. Lyman — December 11, 2013
ROME (RNS) Francis is the third pope to be honored by Time since the magazine began selecting Person of the Year in 1927, following Pope John XXIII in 1962 and Pope John Paul II in 1994.
