Rome & the World: dialogue in Germany

As the German bishops begin their ad limina visit on Monday, November 14, the Spanish website Alfa y Omega asked Bishop Armando Matteo, Secretary of the Doctrinal Section of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith, about the issues that could come up in this meeting. In recent years, the German Bishops have been supportive of the demands for reform that have come out of the German synodal path, especially in terms of sexual morality, priestly celibacy, and the female diaconate in the Church. In recent years, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has warned Germany of a possible “doctrinal drift.” As concerns grow regarding German demands, the Italian theologian, appointed by Pope Francis on November 8 to head the Dicastery’s Doctrinal Section, considers that exchanges can be “positive.” He recognizes that the Church in Germany faces “many challenges,” especially regarding abuse cases and the lack of vocations, but invites them nonetheless to not be afraid of this new experience of synodality, which can lead to “unexplored paths.” In a recent essay titled “The Church to Come” (published only in Italian), Bishop Matteo in fact expresses the same concerns as the Germans Bishops about a certain form of Christianity and pastoral mentality “that served the people who lived until the 1980s.” According to him, the resistance to change in the Church is “destroying it.” “The task is enormous,” he said, defending the vision of a Church capable of transforming everything through evangelization, which necessarily involves a “dialogue with the world.”

Alfa y Omega, Spanish  

2World Cup: Bishop Hinder highlights Qatar’s progress

A week after Pope Francis’ historic trip to Bahrain, Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia, was interviewed by SIR, the Italian episcopate’s news agency. The Swiss Bishop said he was delighted by the Pontiff’s encouragement, especially to young people, in the small Catholic community in Northern Arabia. He praised the Pontiff’s courage, not only in defending issues concerning human rights, religious freedom, and worship, but also in his “ability to live with his personal physical limitations.” “A great example for all,” Bishop Hinder added. He then commented on the current interest in another country in his vicariate: Qatar, due to the soccer World Cup tournament, which will begin there on November 20. He explained that the cathedral in Doha will remain open to Christian supporters throughout the competition, and said he hoped that this would be a “a privileged occasion of brotherhood, friendship and human and religious exchange.” With this in mind, he also invited incoming soccer fans to “respect the local culture.” When asked about the issue of human rights in Qatar, the prelate responded generally and pointed to the great progress the country has made: “Only 25 years ago in Qatar we did not have a church, and there were those who threw stones and other things at Christians who gathered to pray and celebrate the Sacraments.”

SIR, Italian

The Archdiocese of Lima has warned against five institutions or “schismatic churches” that celebrate Masses or sacraments in an invalid or illicit way, and that are not part of the Catholic Church. Many faithful had asked for clarification about these groups. 

ACI Prensa, Spanish 

Pope Francis’ record is “mixed” on the biggest scandal to envelop the Church in centuries, says The Washington Post’s editorial board in an opinion article. His forthrightness on the issue is “admirable,” but ultimately he and the Church will be judged on the tangible progress they make, the paper explains.

The Washington Post, English 

Academics and business people from many countries participated in a forum on Human Development organized at the Vatican by the Humanity 2.0 Foundation in partnership with Harvard University. 

News Day, French