The governance of Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan, 75, of the Old Rite Apostolic Administration in Campos, Brazil, has been extended until spring 2027. He announced the extension in a pastoral letter published on January 11 on AdApostolica.org. Monsignor Rifan recalled his meetings with Leo XIV in the autumn. On 15 November 2025, he was received in private audience by Leo XIV, to whom he presented his resignation and the situation of the Apostolic Administration. Leo XIV asked whether Bishop Rifan also celebrates the Novus Ordo. “I told him that in our churches we celebrate the ancient rite, but that when invited I concelebrate with our diocesan bishop, Bishop Roberto Paz, using the current rite, and likewise when I or our priests, when invited, celebrate Mass in the churches of the dioceses, we celebrate the Mass in the current form.” Bishop Rifan on Leo XIV’s reaction: “He showed himself satisfied.” On 17 November, Monsignor Rifan was received at the Dicastery for Bishops. There, he …More
Former Irish president Mary McAleese argues in an op-ed for The Irish Times that the baptism of children violates human rights and should be outlawed, a stance critics liken to historic anti-Catholic measures under Elizabeth I. Since leaving office, McAleese has pushed for sweeping reforms of Catholic doctrine—especially on marriage, sexuality, abortion, and the male-only priesthood—while holding academic posts at institutions such as Boston College and University of Notre Dame, and earning a canon law doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University. The author contends that her rhetoric is often imprecise, particularly in blaming canon law itself for failures to address abuse, arguing instead that church leaders failed to use the authority the law already granted them.
Reports from the extraordinary consistory on January 7-8 in Rome point to significant internal disagreements. TheCatholicHerald.com cites several cardinals, most speaking anonymously. Main quotes. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Jerusalem: “Reform is not a Church language. In the Church there are no reforms. We must reflect on our mission and vocation according to the times, but faithful to the roots and to the mission of the Church.” Cardinal Frank Leo, Toronto: “I don’t think the College of Cardinals is divided at all.” Anders Arborelius, Stockholm, on liturgy: “I hope we can find a compromise.” Another Cardinal: “Some of Pope Francis’ friends spoke about a new Church and absolute change.” Conservative cardinal, anonymous: “This whole synodal style doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t understand the intelligent men who write on and on about it.” Progressive cardinal, anonymous: “Sitting around tables rather than facing leaders at the front is a brilliant sign of collegiality.” …More
Vatican II is no longer being treated as one council received by the Church. It is being treated as the interpretive tribunal before which all other councils must now appear. If something from the past fits the conciliar vocabulary, it may remain. If it resists that vocabulary, it must be “re-read,” “re-framed,” or quietly set aside. This is why the language matters so much.
My Brothers and Sisters In Christ, A watchman does not cry out every hour of the night. He speaks when something has shifted – when the air itself feels different, when the ground beneath familiar landmarks has begun to move. What has unfolded in Rome this week is not something to panic over, nor something to ignore. It is something to notice. There has been a gathering of cardinals occurring – an extraordinary consistory – called not to define doctrine, not to correct grave error, not to defend the altar or clarify confusion, but to reflect, to listen, to converse, and to continue a process. And the way this gathering was framed tells us far more than any single sentence spoken within it. From the very beginning, the emphasis was clear: The Church was asked once again to look at herself – and to do so through one particular lens. Not through the accumulated wisdom of councils stretching back to the Apostles. But through the Second Vatican Council, presented not as a chapter in the …More
It's everywhere and never ending. Everything is getting worse each day. I don't think we will get away with it much longer. GOD has given the world chance after chance. And the world drifts away from Him everyday.
While the rest of the world is plotting and planning on destroying countries around the world, While they are destroying them now. While they plot and plan to destroy Russia she is preparing for the showdown. When GOD is ready they will all learn pride and hatred and arrogance is not what wins wars. When that day comes, I am sure Russia will hit every underground city they have built and all their bunkers. I am sure of it because I am positive GOD is in complete control and that is His Will. Not that He will be in control later. But always in control.
Leo XIV’s setting of the consistory is “not normative”, Cardinal Gerhard Müller told TheCatholicHerald.com (January 11): “This is a method of the synods, and I think it’s helping the Pope not as Bishop of Rome but as a diocesan bishop.” Cardinal Müller sought to dispel what he described as a false dichotomy in the Church’s internal debates. “The Church of Benedict XVI doesn’t exist anymore.” Picture: vatican media, #newsXaqahjlxet
@Boanerges Boanerges You are absolutely correct! —We can complain til the cows come home but nothing will change for the better. It is a near certainty that things will only get worse. —Jesus Christ created only one Church (now known as the Roman Catholic Church). Moreover, He established only one set of “truths” and commanded the appointed leaders of His Church to teach those “truths,” exclusively, to “all nations.” Those “truths” are the teachings, practices and beliefs of the Catholic religion. —The Second Vatican Council created a counterfeit religion (which faithful Catholics call the “Conciliar” religion). All post-Vatican II popes, bishops and priests follow and promote some or all of the many false teachings contained in the Conciliar religion. —Each and every one of those men of the Conciliar religion who have been responsible for leading unwitting Catholics away from the authentic teachings of the Catholic religion (many to perdition) will one day answer to Jesus Christ …More
"When one of you says, I am for Paul, and another, I am for Apollos, are not these human thoughts? Why, what is Apollos, what is Paul?"1st Corinthians 3:4. Jesus Christ is the head of His Church. The pope should be his "vicar" - a servant of the servants of God who protests the Deposit of Faith. If a man fails in that, woe to him. It would have been better if he hadn't been born!
Leo XIV to his cardinals gathered in consistory: "We can never emphasize enough the importance of continuing the path that was opened with the [Second Vatican] Council."
Leo XIV will certainly introduce changes with respect to the previous pontificate, but the challenge posed by Evangelii Gaudium "cannot" be buried — Cardinal Víctor “Tucho” Fernández told the consistory on January 7–8. His intervention was published by his friends of ReligionDigital.org. “In fact, Evangelii Gaudium specifies that it is not an obsessive proclamation of all the doctrines and norms of the Church, although necessary and valuable, but above all the proclamation of the core of the Gospel, the kerygma.” Tucho believes that "creativity is needed" to ensure that the proclamation reaches everyone. Protestant-sounding language He argues for an alleged “need to remain open to reforming our practices, styles, and organizations.” Even if denied, he uses the phrase “not out of an obsession with change” and wants “inculturating anew”. He then invokes the anti-Catholic slogan “Ecclesia semper reformanda”, drawn from Reformed theological literature. Tucho also argues against …More
mastercatechism.com Yes, baptism is necessary for salvation. The Church teaches that without baptism, one cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven, as stated by Christ: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). However, there are exceptions recognized by the Church. Those who die without baptism but have not committed sin through no fault of their own will not go to hell, but they will not see God or heaven. Instead, they will be in a state of natural peace, deprived of the beatific vision (V16 Kinkead Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism 1891 226:1). Additionally, the Church acknowledges two other forms of baptism that can substitute for the sacrament of water baptism under certain circumstances: the baptism of blood (martyrdom) and the baptism of desire (a sincere desire for baptism combined with perfect contrition for sins) (V17 Cafferata The Catechism Simply Explained 1932 244:2; V8 Frassinetti A Dogmatic Catechism …More
Thanks, Arise Shine, for this crucial article! In the month of March, Fred will be celebrating his 10-year anniversary since he converted to Catholicism (and got baptized along with the other sacraments). Glory be to God, Jesus Christ Christine (Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish)
2 Timothy 4:22 -- The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. -- Will unbaptized infants go to heaven? mastercatechism.com -- Provided the following: The Church teaches that unbaptized infants do not enter heaven, as they lack the beatific vision of God due to original sin. However, they do not suffer the same penalties as those who have committed personal sin. Instead, it is believed that they may experience a state of natural happiness, without the pain of sense, as they are not aware of their deprivation of the beatific vision (V0 Schneider Credo 2023 273:5; V18 Gasparri The Catholic Catechism 1932 211:2). The destiny of these infants remains a mystery entrusted to God's loving providence, and while we can hope for God's mercy, their ultimate fate is not definitively known (V0 Schneider Credo 2023 274:1; V8 Frassinetti A Dogmatic Catechism 1872 65:4). SOURCES: Chapter 7: Baptism: Destiny Of The Non-Baptized 257. Then What Happens To Infants Who Die Without …More