Motu proprio

With local discernment of Pope Francis’ new restrictions on the ‘old Mass’ underway, Catholics reflect on their experience of the liturgy

In 1984, Colin Cain and his wife, Jane, were on the way home from a late-evening grocery run in South St. Paul when they noticed the light was on in the rectory of St. Augustine’s parish. They stopped, and together, mustered the resolve to knock on the door with a deeply felt request for the pastor: Would he consider offering Mass as it was celebrated prior to the Second Vatican Council?

Appreciating the gift of the Mass

Fresh from his 10-day stay in the hospital, Pope Francis dropped a Friday bombshell when he released his document, issued "motu proprio," restoring, and in some cases adding to, the church's restrictions on celebrating the Tridentine Mass.

Pope updates Vatican judicial laws so cardinals, bishops can face trial

Updating the laws that govern the Vatican's civil judicial system, Pope Francis stated that cardinals and bishops accused of a crime can now be tried in a Vatican court.

Bishop Hoeppner resigns following investigation overseen by Archbishop Hebda

Statements from the Diocese of Crookston and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis indicate that the resignation was requested by Pope Francis and that it “arose from reports that (Bishop Hoeppner) had at times failed to observe applicable norms when presented with allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy of the Diocese of Crookston.”

Pope amends canon law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes

Recognizing "the gifts of each baptized person" -- women and men -- Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.

Pope declares special Sunday each year dedicated to word of God

To help the Church grow in love and faithful witness to God, Pope Francis has declared the third Sunday in Ordinary Time to be dedicated to the word of God.

Hopeful that bishops’ resolve means results

As the bishops gathered in Baltimore last week, there were many different thoughts and emotions amid the seriousness of this last year’s events in the Church in the United States and globally. The most consistent sentiment was a deep, firm resolve to move forward to hold bishops and priests decidedly accountable for instances of sexual abuse of children or other vulnerable persons, sexual misconduct, or the mishandling of such cases. The four action items, which all passed by overwhelming majorities, expressed this resolve:

Bishops OK plan to implement ‘motu proprio’ on addressing abuse

The U.S. bishops approved a plan to implement the "motu proprio" "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" ("You are the light of the world") issued in May by Pope Francis to help the Catholic Church safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable.

Bishops to vote on implementing pope’s ‘motu proprio’ on addressing abuse

The U.S. bishops are scheduled to vote on a plan to implement the "motu proprio" "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" ("You are the light of the world") issued in May by Pope Francis to help the Catholic Church safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable.

Letter and spirit: Using universal law to guide local churches on abuse

Pope Francis' latest effort to help the Catholic Church safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable came in the form of a new universal law, "Vos estis lux mundi" ("You are the light of the world"), which takes effect June 1.

Archbishop: Pope’s legislation on clergy abuse includes ‘groundbreaking provisions’

“I am grateful that these new norms envision the meaningful engagement of lay experts, whose professional skills are clearly needed to accomplish this difficult work," Archbishop Hebda said.

Cardinal DiNardo welcomes new papal norms on preventing clergy abuse

New papal norms on preventing clergy sexual abuse are "a blessing that will empower the Church everywhere to bring predators to justice, no matter what rank they hold in the Church," said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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