Latest news with #Dicastery
Herald Malaysia
09-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Vatican grants ‘Nihil obstat' for Marian devotion on Mount Zvir in Slovakia
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has sent a letter to the Archbishop of Prešov for Byzantine Rite Catholics, confirming the many spiritual fruits connected to Mount Zvir, in Slovakia, where apparitions of Mary allegedly occurred between 1990 and 1995 near the small village of Litmanová. Jul 09, 2025 Catholic faithful pray at the site of alleged Marian apparitions near Litmanovà, Slovakia VATICAN: The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith—thanks to the new norms published last year—has granted the go-ahead ( nihil obstat ) after evaluating the spiritual fruits connected to the alleged Marian apparitions that are said to have occurred between 1990 and 1995 in Litmanová, on Mount Zvir, in Slovakia. Cardinal Prefect Víctor Manuel Fernández sent a letter addressed to Archbishop Jonáš Jozef Maxim, Archieparch of Prešov for Byzantine Rite Catholics. He wrote in response to the archbishop's request, who cites the countless 'sincere and profound confessions' and conversions, expressing appreciation for the 'many spiritual fruits obtained by the pilgrims who continue to frequent the place' despite the alleged phenomenon having concluded thirty years ago. Analyzing the related messages, the Dicastery said they contain 'precious invitations to conversion.' These include statements such as: 'Let Jesus free you… And do not allow your Enemy to limit your freedom, for which Jesus shed so much blood.' The Blessed Virgin Mary presents herself as 'happy' and invites the faithful to find the true path to happiness in the recognition of being loved unconditionally: 'I love you just as you are… I want you to be happy, but this world will not make you happy.' Several messages encourage the faithful by showing that the path of the Gospel is not complicated. 'He wants you ever more simple.' Finding joy and peace in the Lord enables us to witness and spread peace, the message notes. They also postulate the need for a response and engagement with the Lord's initiative, imitating Christ, who gives Himself out of love. Loving our brothers and sisters becomes the summary of our response and our fulfillment. In the letter, Cardinal Fernández acknowledges that a limited number of messages contain 'some ambiguities and unclear aspects.' However, taking into account what had already been stated by the doctrinal commission on the case in a 2011 report, it is believed that these are due to the internal interpretation of the alleged visionaries. These few messages, in fact, do not present themselves as locutions but rather as interior experiences. Those who live them attempt to translate them into words, which necessarily turn out to be imprecise. For this reason, Archbishop Maxim is invited to publish a collection 'excluding those few statements that may cause confusion and disturb the faith of the simple.' The Dicastery reiterates that the nihil obstat does not imply the recognition of the supernatural authenticity of the alleged apparitions, but 'nevertheless permits the approval of public worship and the communication to the faithful that, if they wish, they may approach this spiritual proposal without risk.' The alleged apparitions began on August 5, 1990, three kilometers from Litmanová, a small village of Byzantine Catholic tradition in the mountains of northern Slovakia, and involved three children: Ivetka Korcáková, 11 years old; Katka Ceselková, 12; and Mitko Ceselka, 9. The Blessed Virgin Mary presented herself under the title of 'Immaculate Purity.'--Vatican News
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Pope Leo appoints Bishop of Limerick to key Vatican department
Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Bishop of Limerick as a member of a key Vatican department. Bishop Brendan Leahy has been selected by the pontiff into the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The 65-year-old has been serving as Bishop of Limerick since 2013 and was previously appointed to the Vatican's Dicastery of Culture and Education as well as the Dicastery for Clergy. Bishop Leahy has also been involved in inter-faith dialogues in Ireland and abroad, as well as with the Mid-West Interfaith network, which includes visiting Dooradoyle mosque on several occasions. The Dicastery, which is one of many that supports the Pope in both his pastoral and administrative duties, looks after relations between the Catholic Church and other religions across the world. The department is described as being 'one of the most strategically important bodies in the Vatican', which focuses on peacebuilding, cultural understanding, as well as global religious cooperation. In a statement, Bishop Leahy said he was 'deeply honoured to receive this appointment.' 'Peace is something very precious, that we all yearn for, and we all hurt and pain when it is absent,' he said. 'It is in the soul of all Christians, and this appointment is, therefore, a responsibility that I take very seriously and am truly privileged to have. 'I am really looking forward to working closely with the members of the Dicastery in Rome in promoting the Catholic Church's outreach to members of other faith communities. 'With so many dark clouds in our world today, it is important to recognise that religions are part of the solution. So often, religions are blamed for divisions, but the reality is that religions promote values and practices that are positive contributions to community-building and harmony.' He added that 'each needs to be open and welcoming to others' as Ireland sees an increase in the number of people from other religions in Ireland. 'This has brought greater diversity to our island and has enriched us,' Bishop Leahy said. 'We need to open ourselves to become neighbours to one another. Young people often show us the way in this as they quite spontaneously become friends.' Read More Motorway toll barriers will not be lifted for fans driving to All-Ireland hurling final
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vatican agrees to hear parents' case on Blessed Sacrament School
The Vatican has agreed to hear the case of Blessed Sacrament School parents who are fighting to keep the school open after the Diocese of Erie announced its closure on February 14. The decision by the Vatican to study the case comes after the Friends of Blessed Sacrament School hired a canon lawyer in late February to present their claims. BSS parents hire lawyer, petition bishop to revoke school closure The group filed these claims in March, seeking to overturn the diocese's decision, which they argue was made without sufficient transparency. 'It's mind boggling, but the fact that they would take the time to get back so quickly to us on our little recourse case here in Erie, Pennsylvania, that is amazing and it makes me proud to be Catholic,' said Dorothy Sexauer, a member of the Friends of Blessed Sacrament School. The Diocese of Erie announced the closure of Blessed Sacrament School, citing a data-driven decision by the Catholic school system. However, parents are requesting the release of the data used to make this decision. Bishop Lawrence Persico reaffirmed in a statement in March that there would not be a reversal of the decision to close the campus. Despite this, the parents remain hopeful that the Vatican's involvement might lead to a different outcome. EDP, Flagship City District announce downtown summer events The Vatican's letter to the group's canon lawyer stated, 'This Dicastery has received the hierarchical recourse you have made against the decision to close Blessed Sacrament School. The Dicastery has begun its study of the case and will respond according to the norm of law.' Dorothy Sexauer emphasized the unique community at the school, noting that it serves over 40 percent minority students and nearly 50 percent low-income students, providing them a secure and welcoming environment. While the group has not been given a timeline for a decision from the Vatican, the fact that their case is being considered is seen as a positive step in their efforts to keep the school open. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now All facts from this article were gathered by WJET/WFXP journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by WJET/WFXP staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Business Standard
'Peace be with you all': Pope Leo XIV shares first post in Instagram debut
Pope Leo XIV made his debut on Instagram on Tuesday, sharing photos from his early days as pontiff. In his first post, he quoted from his Urbi et Orbi blessing delivered after his election on May 8, writing: 'Peace be with you all!' 'This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd,' he wrote. 'I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.' According to a press statement issued Tuesday by the Dicastery for Communication, Pope Leo XIV intends to maintain an active digital presence through the Vatican's official accounts on Instagram and X. The move continues a trend set by Pope Francis, who regularly used social media to share short, spiritually themed messages and visuals from papal events. His posts often touched on themes of peace, justice, and care for the environment. 'Pope Francis' messages provided near-daily accompaniment throughout his pontificate with short messages of an evangelical nature and exhortations in favor of peace, social justice, and care for creation,' the Dicastery stated. To preserve this legacy, posts from Pope Francis will be archived in a dedicated section of the Holy See's official website. Pope Leo XIV Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American to ascend to the papacy. Despite his US origins, he is closely associated with Latin America due to his long missionary service in Peru. The 69-year-old pontiff revealed that he chose his papal name with assistance from artificial intelligence, drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIII. The 19th-century pope is remembered for his landmark encyclical 'Rerum Novarum', which addressed workers' rights during the industrial revolution. 'I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution,' Pope Leo XIV explained, according to a Vatican transcript. He also likened the rise of AI to a modern industrial revolution and acknowledged its complex implications. 'In our own day, the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour,' he said. [With agency inputs]
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Harris County Catholic shares excitement of Pope Leo XIV, hopes his election will have impact on churches here
The Brief Local Catholics react to the news of the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV. A member of the Prince of Peach Catholic church says Pope Leo XIV is a very humble servant leader. Patrick Spedale shares the history of Pope Leo XIV and his work with Pope Francis. TOMBALL, TEXAS - For the first time, an American Cardinal, Robert Prevost, was elected pope. He is now known as Pope Leo XIV. While this is historic, Catholics in Houston share more on the impact this could have here at home. Patrick Spedale, Director of Worship at the Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Tomball, says it was a shock to see an American elected Pope. RELATED: Cardinal Robert Prevost elected new Pope Leo XIV: Here's what's next What they're saying "So the emotion of it is the cardinals and their wisdom, guided by the Holy Spirit, elected a pontiff, the 267th pope of the universal church, who is a man of great humility, a man of great love of the poor that wants to see the church being as he said today," Spedale said. "It's historic and momentous. This is not something that we saw coming or expected or that I even thought was a remote possibility." Spedale says Pope Leo embodies a lot of the qualities of Pope Francis and worked closely with him. He adds, Pope Leo is considered as a very humble servant leader, so very much so in the style of Pope Francis. "It certainly makes sense the offices that he's been serving in led him to be a strong contender of the papacy. He was in charge of the Dicastery for bishops. So he worked closely with Pope Francis about who would be named bishops of different dioceses since 2023," Spedale said. "He was also the prefect of the Dicastery of the church in Latin America, so overseeing operations and missions and personnel of the church in Latin America." Spedale adds there is significance in Pope Leo choosing his name. "By taking the name Leo the 14th, he makes a very strong nod or gesture to Pope Leo the XIII, "Spedale said," So, by taking the name Leo the 14th, he definitely announces that there is going to be continued advocacy for the church to speak up on behalf of the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, and to call power to truth and to justice." What's next Spedale said that he hopes Pope Leo XIV will have an impact on the American Catholic Church. "I think that he will bring the gospel in a way that Francis started with" Spedale said," It will be a chance for Pope Leo to influence the church in the United States to continue to discover the gospel in news ways. How do we read the signs of the times today and how we apply the gospel to our country to our world in everything that we do and continue to be an emphasis on solidarity, social justice and care for the worker and the poor and creation as well, which is a major part of Catholic social teaching. The Source FOX 26 reporter Leslie DelasBour spoke with Patrick Spedale, Director of Worship at the Prince of Peace Catholic Community.
