- Pope creates another commission to study female diaconate (Vatican Press Office)
Pope Francis has formed a new commission to study the female diaconate. The 12-member commission will be chaired by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi of L’Aquila, Italy, with Father Denis Dupont-Fauville, an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), serving as secretary. This is the second time Pope Francis has formed such a commission. In November 2016 a panel chaired by then-Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer (who is now prefect of the CDF) met for the first time. By May 2019, the Pope reported that this commission had been unable to reach any consensus. - In new interview, Pope Francis says pandemic can be a 'place of conversion' (The Tablet)
In an interview with Austen Ivereigh, author of a 2019 papal biography, Pope Francis called for attentive concern for the poor, adding that “we have to slow down our rate of production and consumption and to learn to understand and contemplate the natural world.” Decrying a throwaway culture, the Pope praised Humanae Vitae and lamented the abortion of unborn children with Down syndrome. - 'In loneliness the coronavirus kills more': Vatican publishes message for the elderly (Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life)
“Saving the lives of the elderly who live within residential homes or who are alone or sick, is a priority as much as saving any other person,” the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life said in its message, published April 7. - Pope, at weekday Mass, prays for those serving unjust sentences (Zenit)
At a Mass celebrated in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae on April 7 (video), Pope Francis preached on the firs reading of the day. The Pope invited those watching the Mass to pray the act of spiritual communion by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930). The Mass concluded with adoration and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the chanting of the Ave Regina Caelorum. - Federal appeals court allows Texas to ban most abortions during virus crisis (AP)
Overturning a lower court decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that “when faced with a society-threatening epidemic, a state may implement emergency measures that curtail constitutional rights so long as the measures have at least some ‘real or substantial relation’ to the public health crisis.” - Papal audience: contemplate the Crucified One during quarantine (Vatican Press Office)
At his weekly general audience on April 8—streamed from the apostolic palace—Pope Francis broke from his series of talks on the Beatitude to reflect on the Easter Triduum. He said: “ in these days of quarantine when we are secluded at home, let’s take these tow things in our hands: the Crucified One—let’s look at Him—and the Gospel.” - Melbourne cathedral vandalized after Cardinal Pell's release (The Age)
Cardinal Pell was freed from prison after the High Court of Australia unanimously overturned his sex abuse conviction (analysis). - Nicaraguan regime halts bishop's CO19 initiative (Fides)
Daniel Ortega, a leader of the Marxist Sandinistas who overthrew the authoritarian regime of Gen. Anastasio Somoza Debayle, ruled Nicaragua from the 1979 Sandinista takeover until his loss in the 1990 presidential election. He returned to power in 2007. - Italian priest kidnapped in Niger shown in jihadist video: report (AFP)
Father Pierluigi Maccalli, SMA, was abducted in 2018. “The news [that the priest is alive] fills us with joy and hope,” said the superior general of the Society of African Missions. “However, we must all remain very cautious.” - Pontifical Academy for Life publishes 'Pandemic and Universal Brotherhood' (Pontifical Academy for Life)
The text’s sections are entitled “Solidarity in vulnerability and in limitations,” “From de facto interconnection to chosen solidarity,” “Science, medicine and politics: the social link is put to the test,” “The obligation to protect the weak: Gospel faith put to the test,” and “Intercessory prayer.” - Pandemic's economic toll just starting to show for both nation, Church (CNS)
“Where we can, we will continue to have folks working,” said the senior director of human resources of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. “A last resort is to have our employees go on furlough, which would mean they wouldn’t have any income.” - 'We have missed so many opportunities': Zimbabwe's bishops reflect on 40 years of independence (Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference)
The southern African nation of 14.3 million (map, Encyclopaedia Britannica article) is 72% Protestant and 11% Catholic, with 15% adhering to ethnic religions. - Pope accepts resignation of Indonesian prelate accused of mismanagement (Vatican Press Office)
Archbishop Nicolaus Seputra, 60, was sent to Rome last summer for “indefinite formation,” the Asian agency UCA News reported. - 'Christ is risen': leading EU cardinal offers Easter message (COMECE)
The president of the Conference of European Churches (a fellowship of over 100 Orthodox and Protestant communities) joined Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU, in signing the statement. - Court upholds 'so help me God' in naturalization oath (Religion Clause)
The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the words are constitutional because they are “a ceremonial, longstanding practice as an optional means of completing an oath.” - Chaldean patriarch offers Holy Week directives in light of CO19 (Chaldean Patriarchate of Babylon)
Born in 1948, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako has led the Chaldean Catholic Church since 2013. The church is among the Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the Holy See. - Vatican issues votive Mass in time of pandemic, special prayer for Good Friday (Vatican News)
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has published the prayers of the votive Mass in Latin (p. 1) and several vernacular languages, including English (p. 8). Likewise, the special Good Friday prayer is available in Latin (p. 1) and English (p. 4). The Congregation also issued accompanying decrees. - Brazilian bishop resigns at 54 (Gazeta de Araçuai (Portuguese))
Citing physical and psychological health problems, Bishop Marcello Romano, 54, resigned as bishop of Araçuaí after eight years in office. The National Conference of Brazilian Bishops praised his work (Portuguese text), and the prelate said he looked forward as bishop emeritus to assisting the needy, hearing confessions, and visiting churches, families, and the sick. - Cardinal Pell freed from prison after High Court of Australia unanimously overturns sex abuse conviction (CNN)
“I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice,” Cardinal Pell, 78, said in a statement following the decision. “I hold no ill will toward my accuser, I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel; there is certainly hurt and bitterness enough.” - Lessons to be Learned from Cardinal Pell's Case (News Analysis) (CWN)
Sometime early this morning, Australia time, Cardinal George Pell should have been praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The first psalm in today’s Morning Prayer (43) begins: “Vindicate me, Lord; judge my case against an unholy nation.”