1Catholicism should distance itself from 'culture wars,' says Czech theologian
What does "Catholic" mean today? asks Czech theologian Father Tomáš Halík. In this reflection, he invites us to make a constant distinction between the "militant Church," which is on earth, and the "triumphant Church," which is in Heaven. He explains that it is a question of fighting against the temptation of triumphalism, which clericalism can derive from. Father Tomáš also invites us to distance ourselves from a Catholicism that takes a position in a "cultural war." God is greater than religious practice, he emphasizes, urging us to always seek answers, even if it means going through crises when faced with questions "that go beyond the catechetical answers offered by tradition.”
2Russian roulette: The Pope's ecumenical dilemma in Ukraine
“The people say that if the Pope comes to Ukraine, the war will end,” said Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. However, according to The Pillar, the situation poses a dilemma for the Vatican. The American media outlet notes that while Pope Francis has denounced the "madness of war" several times, he has not mentioned Russia by name. The Argentine Pontiff has also not hidden his desire to meet, for a second time, Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. However, this crisis, with the looming specter of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and the absorption of the Ukrainian Church by the Russian Church, could well freeze the Pope’s plans and have unfortunate ecumenical repercussions.
3Catholic League chief says he's retiring in 'next few years' after receiving massive raise
William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said on February 11 he will be “retiring in the next few years.” This statement came after NBC News enquired about a $480,000-plus raise that Donohue received over the last two years, resulting in an annual salary of more than a million dollars. Donohue explained to NBC that the board of the organization gave him this raise as an “exit compensation,” as he will “probably” retire in the next few years. However, fraud and accounting experts consulted by NBC were skeptical that a board would approve to pay out a retirement package before a person stepped down. Neither Donohue nor the Catholic League have officially announced his retirement.
4“I didn’t know” should no longer be an excuse, Chilean abuse survivor says
Juan Carlos Cruz, one of the victims of abuse perpetrated by former Chilean priest Fernando Karadima, and a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, has reacted to Benedict XVI's response to the Munich report. While the Pope Emeritus assures that he was not aware that a priest transferred to his diocese was an abuser, "we cannot hide behind that stupid argument," said Cruz. It is an excuse that can no longer work and “it never should have worked, even when there were no protocols,” he insisted. Although the Catholic Church has made good progress in confronting abuse, he laments that the culture of "cover-up" is still alive and well.
5Copies of the Holy Shroud of Turin, made from pure linen, travel the world
A certified copy of the Holy Shroud, the famous shroud that according to tradition surrounded the body of Jesus in the tomb, will soon be in Washington D.C.. The replica project, which lasted two years, resulted in the creation of a cloth made from pure linen and free of chemical contamination, similar to that which existed at the time of Christ. Copies will also go to France, Egypt, the Moscow Patriarchate in Russia, and Spain. The original Shroud remains in Turin in northern Italy, where it has been kept since the 16th century. It is the most studied ancient cloth in the world.
