Latest news with #CanonLaw
CBS News
20-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Denver archbishop to submit resignation as 75th birthday approaches
Archbishop Samuel Aquila of the Archdiocese of Denver will submit his resignation as his birthday approaches in September. Canon law within the Catholic Church requests that bishops submit their resignations to the pope when they turn 75. Aquila has served as the diocese's archbishop since 2012, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to replace Archbishop Charles Chaput. Aquila was already well known to the Denver community, having been ordained here, and he served as a pastor in 11 different parishes during the 80s. Denver's Catholic community prayed for Aquila's health and spiritual renewal as he approaches his 75th birthday, as well as for the coming transition. It is not yet known when Pope Leo XIV will accept his resignation letter or who will be appointed as his successor. "This time of transition offers us a powerful opportunity to lean into prayer, deepen our faith and renew our love for the Church. Whether at Sunday Mass, in quiet moments of intercession or through fasting and sacrifice, let us commit to covering this change in prayer, confident that the Lord, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion," Denver Catholic Magazine said.
Spectator
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Being a Christian isn't easy
Spare a thought for Chris Coghlan, who has learned to his horror that not only is the Pope a Catholic, his own priest is one too. The Liberal Democrat MP, who voted to legalise assisted suicide, attends St Joseph's Catholic Church in Dorking. He complains to the Observer that Father Ian Vane 'publicly announced at Mass that he was… denying me Holy Communion as I had breached Canon Law'. Coghlan believes this represents a 'completely inappropriate interference in democracy by religious authorities'. If you're not a Catholic, at this point you're thinking one of two things: 'No thanks, I'll leave the Papists to their internal disputes', or 'Canon Law would be a cracking name for a courtroom series about a priest turned barrister'. But stick with me, there's something for everyone here. By his own admission, the Dorking and Horley MP was well aware of the Church's opposition to Kim Leadbeater's Bill. He was 'deeply disturbed to receive an email from my local priest four days before the vote… saying if I voted in favour I would be 'an obstinate public sinner' [and] complicit in a 'murderous act'.' Now, that's how I like my priests. Spitting doctrine like fire, not some hippie-boomer Father Mulcahy type spouting happy-clappy 1970s nonsense. Father Vane explicitly told Coghlan that, were he to vote for Leadbeater's Bill, it would be 'a clear contravention of the Church's teaching' and would 'leave me in the position of not being able to give you Holy Communion, as to do so would cause scandal in the Church'. This man has never come within a mile of an altar with an acoustic guitar. Coghlan claims that Father Vane 'weakened his argument by wrongly characterising assisted dying' as 'direct euthanasia, which is putting an end to somebody else's life'. It is Coghlan who is wrong. The distinction he posits is not recognised by the Catholic Church. The Catechism says: 'Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.' Suicide, meanwhile, is 'seriously contrary to justice, hope, and charity' and 'forbidden by the fifth commandment'. Saint Pope John Paul II, in Evangelium Vitae, defined euthanasia as 'an action or omission which of itself and by intention causes death, with the purpose of eliminating all suffering'. He termed it 'a grave violation of the law of God' and listed it, along with abortion, as 'crimes which no human law can claim to legitimise'. He acknowledged the concept of 'assisted suicide' but turned it over to Saint Augustine, who held that it was 'never licit to kill another: even if he should wish it, indeed if he request it… nor is it licit even when a sick person is no longer able to live'. John Paul concluded that 'any state which made such a request legitimate and authorised it to be carried out would be legalising a case of suicide-murder'. Even so, was it really necessary to deny Coghlan Holy Communion and announce said decision? Father Vane has faithfully guarded the Eucharist in accordance with Canon 915 and the teaching of Cardinal Ratzinger (as he then was) in 'Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion'. The legacy of Pope Francis, however, complicates matters a little. As Cardinal Bergoglio, he drafted the Aparecida Document issued by Pope Benedict XVI, which stated that Catholics in public life 'cannot receive Holy Communion and at the same time act with deeds or words against the Commandments', specifically citing euthanasia as an example. However, as Pope Francis, he preached that 'the Eucharist is not the reward of saints, but the bread of sinners'. He also waded into the controversy over pro-abortion US politicians receiving the Blessed Sacrament, saying he had 'never' refused anyone Communion and exhorting priests and bishops to 'be a shepherd' with 'closeness, compassion and tenderness'. Did Coghlan cast his vote with this in mind? If so, even those of us who favour doctrinal soundness over Jesuitical cleverness might wonder if there could have been a way around a eucharistic sanction. Unfortunately, Coghlan puts paid to that when he says he 'supported assisted dying in accordance with my conscience'. He is entitled to his conscience, but it is by definition not a Catholic one. Catholicism is composed of three strands: scripture, tradition and the magisterium, the latter being the instructional authority given to the Church by Jesus Christ. All three are as one on the question of man's creation in the image of God and the sanctity of human life. If you don't believe in these doctrines, then Catholicism is not the religion for you. Coghlan is halfway to that realisation when he says: 'My private religion will continue to have zero direct relevance to my work as an MP'. Catholicism is not a hobby, it's a living witness shaped by rites, dogma, and authority. If it has 'zero direct relevance' to your work, whatever that work is, you're in the wrong church. I hear the Anglicans put on a nice service. This sounds harsh, but it should not be mistaken for a saintly passing of judgement on a reprobate. Like Coghlan, I too am a sinner, perhaps sometimes a public one, and while I hope that I'm not too obstinate I cannot shed my birthright as a Scot. I would be in no position to judge him anyway, for I have recently returned to the Church only to learn that this Christianity business is much harder than I remember. So I speak not with the zeal of the convert but with the unbearable burden of the prodigal son drawn home in the full knowledge of his iniquity and his inadequacy. Catholicism is a struggle, it's meant to be a struggle, but it has to be a struggle you want, not one you merely inherit, or identify with, or thole to get your children into a Catholic school. I had never heard of Chris Coghlan before now. He might be a fine man and a hard-working MP, but he seems very confused about both freedom of conscience and democracy. If an MP was a member of the National Secular Society, was told he would be sanctioned if he voted to send a Bible to every household in Britain, did so anyway, then had his membership suspended, would Coghlan consider this an 'interference in democracy'? If he would, he belongs in neither the Church nor the Commons.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pope selects city archbishop successor
1 2 3 Kolkata: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rt Rev Elias Frank, Bishop of Asansol, as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. He will succeed the current Archbishop of Calcutta, His Grace, Most Rev. Thomas D'Souza, when he retires later this year. The appointment was made public in Rome on Saturday at noon, IST 3.30 pm. A coadjutor bishop is appointed to assist the diocesan archbishop with the pastoral and administrative duties of the diocese. He automatically succeeds the latter upon his retirement or death. He is essentially an assistant bishop with the right of succession. Born on Aug 15, 1962, in Bantwal, Karnataka, Rt Rev Elias Frank belongs to the Diocese of Mangalore. He completed his early education in Modankap and Shillong before entering priestly formation at St John Mary Vianney Minor Seminary in Barasat. He later studied philosophy at Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore. He pursued his theological studies at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he also earned a licentiate and later a doctorate in Canon Law. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Ordained as a priest on April 23, 1993, for the Archdiocese of Calcutta, he served in several parishes, including Sacred Heart Church in Burdwan and St Therese of Lisieux in Durgapur. He also contributed as a judge at the Inter-Diocesan Tribunal in Kolkata. Bishop Elias Frank served as a professor of Canon Law in Rome since 2007 and is a visiting professor at the Alphonsian Academy. He published books and scholarly articles and held roles as an external judge and consultor for Vatican dicasteries, the main departments of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church. Appointed as Bishop of Asansol by Pope Francis on July 3, 2023, he was consecrated on Aug 24, 2023. Congratulating Rt. Rev. Elias Frank on his appointment on behalf of the clergy, Fr Dominic Gomes, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Calcutta, said, "I extend our warmest greetings and deepest gratitude to God for the gift of your leadership. May the Holy Spirit strengthen you and guide you in this new mission. Be assured of our prayers and support as you continue to build up the Body of Christ among us." In the Roman Catholic Church, archbishops are requested to submit their resignation to the Pope upon reaching the age of 75 in accordance with Canon 401 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The Pope then considers the resignation, taking into account all circumstances, and makes a decision. Most Rev. Thomas D'Souza was appointed Archbishop of Calcutta on Feb 23, 2012 after serving as coadjutor bishop from March 12, 2011. He will be 75 years old on Aug 26 this year. After his retirement, he will be known as Archbishop Emeritus. His role will be one of continued service to support the church and its mission but without the active leadership and administrative responsibilities of an active archbishop.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Retired Diocese of Greensburg bishop dies after ‘cardiac incident'
A retired bishop who led the Diocese of Greensburg for just over a decade has died. He was 86. Bishop Larry Kulick shared on social media Saturday that Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt suffered a 'cardiac incident' earlier in the week and underwent 'extensive' surgery, after which he was in critical condition. Bishop Brandt died on Sunday morning. The Diocese of Greensburg says Bishop Brandt led them through a series of 'major changes' between 2004 and 2015 as its fourth bishop. He's known for bolstering finances and addressing the declining number of Catholics, among several other initiatives. Bishop Kulick remembered Bishop Brandt as the man who asked him to study Canon Law, then later to assist him as an Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and Vicar General. 'He was incredibly disciplined, but that only fostered his spirituality and his ability to leave the Diocese in good order, both spiritually and financially,' Bishop Kulick said. Bishop Emeritus Ed Malesic remembered his predecessor fondly. 'When I was announced to be the next Bishop of Greensburg in 2015, Bishop Brandt was among the first to welcome me, and he did so with great warmth,' Bishop Malesic said in a Facebook post. 'He guided me along the way in a role that was very new to me and offered me wise advice when I asked for it. Bishop Brandt was a man of deep conviction and faith. He will be remembered by me as a man of courage and grace, always the gentleman.' Bishop Kulick pointed out that Bishop Brandt died on the Solemnity of Pentecost. 'It is fitting that the Lord called him on the day that we celebrate the birth of the Church,' he said. Recently retired Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik extended his condolences after learning of Bishop Brandt's death. 'I first came to know Bishop Brandt when he was the chancellor of the diocese of Erie, long before he became the Bishop of Greensburg,' his statement reads in part. 'During the nearly 30 years we have worked together, I came to know him as a man who truly loved Christ and His Body, the Church. May God quickly take him to the place prepared for him in heaven.' Funeral arrangements for Bishop Emeritus Brandt will be announced at a later date. Click here to read his full biography. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Catholic League Tells Washington to Adopt Church's Law
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Catholic League President William A. Donohue has written to Washington state Senator Noel Frame, urging the state to "follow Canon law" on assisted dying. The letter followed Frame's suggestion that the church could "change their rules" to allow priests to disclose any allegations of child abuse heard during confession to the relevant authorities. Newsweek contacted the Catholic League and the state senator for comment on Thursday via email outside regular office hours. Why It Matters Earlier this month, the state of Washington passed a law requiring clergy to report any suspected child abuse they learn of during confession, a requirement they were previously exempt from for religious reasons. In response, the Archdiocese of Seattle said, "Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession—or they will be excommunicated from the Church." What To Know On Tuesday, the Catholic League published the letter Donohue sent to Frame under the title "Washington State Should Adopt Canon Law." In his letter, Donohue cited an interview Frame did with NPR's Dave Miller earlier this month, in which she suggested church law could be amended to match state law. "I am reminded that Canon law has changed many times over the years in the Catholic faith and there's nothing to say they cannot change their rules to allow the reporting of real time abuse and neglect of children. That is within their power to change and I think they should so," Frame said. Donohue wrote in response: "Funny thing is I feel the same way about your state legalizing assisted suicide. Except I would recommend that state law follow Canon law. We the Catholic Church have a theological purpose that is to protect the vulnerable from assisted suicide and that is why state legislators should choose to follow Canon law to protect such persons, as we do not want to be complicit in killing them." The sun rising behind a stone cross atop the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The sun rising behind a stone cross atop the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Robert Alexander/GETTY The Catholic League president added: "I am reminded that state law has changed many times over the years in secular society and there's nothing to say they cannot change their rules to follow Canon law and put an end to assisted suicide. That is within their power to change and I think they should do so." The Washington Death With Dignity Act became law in 2008, allowing "some terminally ill patients" in the state to ask for "lethal doses of medication" from health care providers. In April 2023, then-Governor Jay Inslee approved a law that sought to reduce the wait time between when a patient asked for life-ending treatment and when they received it. Frame also told NPR, "We the state of Washington have a secular legislative purpose that is to protect children from abuse and neglect and if faith communities choose through their rules not to protect children from abuse and neglect, we the state are choosing not to be complicit in that choice by their rules." Donohue responded in his letter: "You do not cite one instance where any child has ever suffered abuse or neglect, in any state, because a priest chooses not to disclose what he has learned in the confessional. That's largely because molesters tend not to be the kind of persons who like to 'fess up.' In other words, your bill is only tangentially related to this issue." What People Are Saying Anthea Butler, the chair of the department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, previously told Newsweek: "This is about 'the seal of the confessional.' That is, the rule that when a priest hears a confession, it cannot be shared. If it is shared, it's breaking Canon Law. A priest can be excommunicated for breaking the seal of the confessional. "The situation, which the Trump administration is looking at, is interesting because there has always been this collision between the law of the local, state and national level and some aspects of canon law. Think about this not only on this level, but in issues of other types of transgressions, like murder. Terrible situation, but for the priest, they are subject to canon law." The Washington State Catholic Conference, which represents five Catholic bishops, previously told Newsweek: "The Catholic Church in Washington supported adding clergy as mandatory reporters. We have required clergy to report since at least 2002. The church has made several policy changes over the decades to ensure abuse survivors are supported, prevention is emphasized and suspected abuse is reported. We asked for a limited exception for the time a priest is engaged in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an exception the majority of states with clergy reporting laws have granted. "The state telling the church to change its centuries of practice in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is exactly the type of government intrusion in religion that the First Amendment protects against. It also ignores the current practices and policies of the church that are successfully helping to prevent abuse and ensure reasonable suspicions of abuse are reported to proper authorities. There are many ways to accomplish the states' goal, which we share, of protecting children, that do not require the state to trample on our rights." What Happens Next The Washington law, which is set to go into effect on July 27, has highlighted the national conversation about the boundaries between church and state. The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into whether the legislation violates the First Amendment right to religious freedom.
