Inside The Vatican

This week on Inside the Vatican, we talk about the U.S. bishops’ new resolutions on sexual abuse. How does the USCCB compare to other bishops conferences around the world?

Then, we take a look at a new document prepared for the synod on the Amazon region, that officially introduces the possibility of ordaining married men. What are the implications for the rest of the church? And, what other findings in the document might we have overlooked?

Links:

Vatican will discuss ordaining married men as priests in Amazon region

U.S. bishops adopt new protocols for holding themselves accountable for sex abuse

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I unpack a the most comprehensive Vatican document on gender identity yet. The document, which was released by the Congregation for Education, seeks to address what it calls “an educational crisis” surrounding sexuality and gender. Why is it so important? And what have transgender Catholics in the United States said about it?

Then, we htalk about what’s on the table at the U.S. bishops’ meeting, happening this week. Does Rome pay attention to these national meetings? And what are they saying about sex abuse?

• Vatican issues new document criticizing ‘gender theory’
• Listen to the L.G.B.T. person: a response to the Vatican’s gender theory document
• Bishops debate extent of lay involvement in sex abuse response

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Introducing the Jesuitical podcast from America Media.

This week, while Colleen and Gerry are out, the Jesuitical hosts interview Hans Zollner, S.J.

Father Zollner has dedicated his life to protecting children from the horrific crime of sexual abuse. A psychologist and Jesuit priest, he has guided the church’s efforts to bring healing to survivors and to prevent such abuse from happening again. Father Zollner meets regularly with survivors and as one of the organizers of the Vatican summit on sexual abuse in February helped to lift up their voices.

To learn more about Jesuitical, visit www.Jesuiticalshow.org

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I discuss the first four women to be named to the Vatican’s office for synods. We talk about who these women are, how women’s involvement in Vatican leadership is changing, and what positions may be opened to women next.

Then, we unpack the most recent developments in the case of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. After the Archdiocese of New York found credible accusations that McCarrick had abused a minor, heated debate began over who knew what when about McCarrick’s misconduct. Correspondence leaked this week by McCarrick’s former secretary complicate the story, so on this episode, Gerry and I parse what we now know about each of the last three popes’ awareness of McCarrick’s case.

Finally, the pope is traveling to Romania this weekend. Gerry tells us briefly what to expect.

Links from the show:

• October 2018: Why can’t women vote at the Synod on Young People?

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I unpack a recent confrontation between the Italian bishops and the pope, which came after the bishops failed to implement the pope’s 2015 annulment reforms. We talk about what those reforms were, and what this tells us about the way the Vatican is able to enforce change.

Then, we talk economics. Whenever Pope Francis discusses the economy, it sets off cries that the pope is a socialist or a communist. So this week, we ask: Is the pope a socialist? What is his vision for the economy?

Finally, we dig into the pope’s comments to journalists about fake news, freedom of the press, and why he thinks women make good reporters.

Congratulations to Jeff Johnson, the winner of our raffle of Gerry’s book, “The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History.”

Links from the show:

• Inside the Vatican: A brief explanation of the Vatican-China deal

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I explain why the papal almoner climbed down a manhole this weekend to illegally restore electricity to 450 homeless people squatting in a building in Rome. We also explain who the papal almoner is, and how the job has changed under Pope Francis.

Last week, the pope met with the group of women religious who first asked him about ordaining women to the diaconate in 2016. We talk through what he told them, then take a step back to consider how things have changed for women religious at the Vatican in recent years.

Finally, the Vatican issued new universal guidelines on how to handle sexual abuse. Included in the new laws are mandatory reporting requirements for all priests and religious, and new provisions for holding bishops accountable for abuse and cover up. Gerry and I talk through some of the key points and what to expect next.

Next week, we’ll be raffling off one copy of Gerry’s book, “The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History.” You can enter to win by leaving a review of “Inside the Vatican” on iTunes. Then, email us at [email protected] and tell us what name you used to leave your review.

Links from the show:

• Pope Francis authorizes the organization of pilgrimages to Medjugorje

• Pope Francis’ almsgiver restores power (illegally) to homeless shelter in Italy

• Pope Francis tells women religious church cannot alter revelation on women’s diaconate

• Cindy Wooden: Holy boldness: Profile of women religious rising at Vatican

• Pope Francis issues new rules for accountability and response to allegations of sexual abuse

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I talk about three stories from Pope Francis’ trip to Bulgaria and North Macedonia. We’ll talk about what he did on that trip, as well as two stories he commented on during a press conference aboard the papal plane.

The first of those is the death of “living saint” Jean Vanier, who founded L’arche, the communities where people with abilities and disabilities live together. I ask Gerry about the pope’s relationship to Mr. Vanier and more.

Next, we talk about why Pope Francis visited North Macedonia and Bulgaria, where there are tiny Roman Catholic minorities. Gerry explains the tensions between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, and how far the ecumenical relations have come in the last few decades.

And finally, we speak about the breaking news on the question of women deacons. Why hasn’t the Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate reached any conclusions? What, if anything, do they agree on?

This episode was brought to you by the documentary “Hesburgh,” available nationwide April 26. Learn more at hesburghfilm.com.

Links:

Jean Vanier, ‘living saint’ who ministered to people with disabilities, dies at 90
An interview with Jean Vanier
Pope Francis meets with Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Neofit
Pope Francis celebrates first Communion with 245 children in Bulgaria
Pope Francis ends visit to Bulgaria, urging its religious leaders to work for peace
In North Macedonia, Pope Francis encourages peace, prays at Mother Teresa memorial
Pope Francis makes history in North Macedonia
Pope Francis says commission on women deacons did not reach agreement

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I update you on the situation in Sri Lanka following a series of explosions in churches and hotels there on Easter Sunday.

Then, we’ll talk about the new editorial board of Women Church World. Will the new editor in charge have more freedom?

And finally, we’ll talk through some big reforms Pope Francis has planned for the Roman Curia. What is a super dicastery and what does it tell us about the pope's priorities?

This episode was brought to you by the documentary “Hesburgh,” available nationwide April 26. Learn more at hesburghfilm.com.

Links:

• Rural Catholic church defies Sri Lanka threats and holds Mass
• Vatican newspaper appoints new editorial board for women's magazine
• Big changes to the Vatican’s Roman Curia are coming

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I talk briefly about the horrific fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Then, we’ll update you on Pope Francis kissing the feet of South Sudanese leaders, and the importance of gestures like this one.

We’ll also talk about a new letter from Pope Emeritus Benedict that addressed the sexual abuse crisis. We go through some of the questions that journalists are raising about the circumstances under which the letter was written and distributed.

Finally, I ask Gerry to share one of my favorite stories from his new book on the conclave that elected Pope Francis.

This episode was brought to you by the documentary “Hesburgh,” available nationwide April 26. Learn more at hesburghfilm.com.

Links:

• Father James Martin: Where was God when Notre Dame was in flames?
• Grieving the fire of Notre Dame during Holy Week
• Watch: Pope Francis kisses the feet of South Sudan leaders to beg for peace
• Pope Benedict’s letter on sex abuse is not an attack on Francis (or Vatican II)
• Exclusive: Inside the election of Pope Francis
• Gerry's book: Buy from Orbis Books | Buy on Amazon

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerard O’Connell and I update you on Cardinal Sarah’s recent comments on migrants, which strike a different tone from what we’ve come to expect from Pope Francis. We also discuss why Pope Francis prefers to have advisors who disagree with him on some issues.

Then, Gerry and I will tell you about an international human rights delegation that visited the Vatican asking for support for the decriminalization of homosexuality. It’s not clear if the Holy See will meet the delegation’s request for an official document supporting the decriminalization, but we’ll examine one case in which Pope Francis may have advocated for just that. Plus, we’ll take a look at what it means for the Vatican to begin a dialogue with this delegation.

Our final story is about an ecumenical retreat—possibly the first of its kind—being held at the Vatican this week for the opposing political and ecclesial leaders of South Sudan. We’ll talk about what’s happening at the retreat, and what impact Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, hope it will have on peace efforts in South Sudan. We wrap up the show with a discussion of why the Vatican chose to pursue what seems like a diplomatic goal through a religious retreat.

Links:

• Human rights delegation seeks Vatican support for the decriminalization of homosexuality
• South Sudan’s political and religious leaders to begin a retreat at the Vatican in effort for peace

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