Switzerland: Diocesan Priests on an Inexorable Decline?

The Swiss Institute of Pastoral Sociology just published a study entitled: Diocesan Priests in Switzerland: Prognoses, Interpretations, Perspectives (ed. SPI).  In answer to an ever more insistent worry – the evolution of the number of diocesan priests – the Institute proposed “a prognosis and statistical projections for 2029” for the six Swiss dioceses.  “Unquestionably, since [...]

Nigeria: Dialogue to Fight against Terrorism

In an interview published on the website Vatican Insider on January 8, 2012, the archbishop of Lagos recalled the series of attacks that struck Nigeria at Christmas and in the beginning of January. (see DICI#248).  For Cardinal Anthony Olobunmi Okogie, this is not a religious, but a political conflict.  He thus denounced the pressure aroused [...]

Belgium: The Vice Prime Minister Lashes Out at Archbishop Léonard

According to the Socialist Belgian Vice Prime Minister, “the Catholics of Belgium deserve better” than Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, archbishop of Malines-Brussels.  In an interview broadcasted on RTL-TVI on January 8, Laurette Onkelinx openly claimed: “the believers of our country deserve to have another representative,” adding that she scarcely appreciated the prelate’s public comments, which she [...]

France: Coming Soon: An Orthodox Cathedral in Paris

Construction for the future Russian Orthodox cathedral in Paris should begin in 2012.  The costs will be covered by the Russian State.  The edifice, which will be built on the grounds where Météo France used to be, in the 7th Arrondissement in Paris, will also include a cultural center.  The final project – selected through [...]

Cuba: 2,900 Prisoners Freed in Honor of Benedict XVI’s Visit

Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega has confirmed that Raul Castro’s government did indeed release close to 2,900 prisoners in an amnesty decreed in view of Benedict XVI’s next visit to the island.  “Almost all of them were able to spend the Christmas holidays at home,” announced the Archbishop of La Havane during the New Year celebrations, [...]

Egypt: Salafis Draw up the Outline of an Islamic State

The Salafis, who carried off between 24 and 25% of the votes in the legislative elections on November 28, are now “drawing up an Islamic State” in Egypt.  According to a long inquest published by the newspaper Egypt Independent and republished by the online information site, Slate Afrique, on January 9, the most extremist fringe [...]

France: Bishop Jacques Perrier rebuilds the pools at Lourdes

The Most Rev. Jacques Perrier, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes has announced that as a part of the Siloam project, the pools of Lourdes will be rebuilt to better accommodate pilgrims.  In a statement released January 18, 2012, the bishop explained the Siloam project would allow each pilgrim to decide whether to drink, bathe or [...]

France: A stamp will be issued in honor of Joan of Arc

The Vatican post office and the French post office jointly will issue a stamp in honor of St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) to mark the 600th anniversary of the birth of the Maid of Orleans.
The issuance of the stamps will take place in two stages.  On May 14, the French post office will issue a [...]

The wager of the Year of Faith

Everyone knows Pascal’s wager;  the Year of Faith which is to run from October 11, 2012, to November 24, 2013, gives the impression that it, too, is based on a wager.
The pastoral guidelines that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has just published show that this year should be considered the occasion to [...]

Le Courrier à Rome [“Mail to Rome”]

Many are wondering about the contents of the letter addressed in early December to Rome by Bishop Bernard Fellay in response to the Doctrinal Preamble delivered to him by Cardinal William Levada last September 14.  We are in a position to report that one of the components that make up this response is the cogently [...]

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