Category Archives: Eastern Churches

IN BRIEF

Posted in Eastern Churches, France, IN BRIEF, Motu Proprio, Olympic Games by

On this day in 1506, Pope Julius II laid the cornerstone for what would be the new St. Peter’s basilica. It was completed 120 years later.

The Motu proprio released yesterday on the voting age limit for bishops in Eastern Churches was the 62nd of Pope Francis’ pontificate.   Interestingly enough, Pope John Paul II, whose papacy lasted just under 27 years, issued only 30 motu proprio in that time (source: Motu Proprio | John Paul II (vatican.va)

IN BRIEF

POPE SETS EASTERN CHURCHES BISHOPS’ AGE LIMIT FOR VOTING AT SYNODS: In an Apostolic Letter issued in the form of a ‘Motu proprio’, Pope Francis amended the Canon Law of the Oriental Churches by providing that the bishops emeritus who have reached the age of 80 will no longer be able to vote in the Episcopal Synods of which they are members, though the rule does not apply to those who are already in office. The Pope’s decision meets a longstanding request made by “some Patriarchs, Major Archbishops and Bishops”, as reads the Latin title of the Motu proprio “Iam pridem” (“For some time now”). The text specifies that the new legislation, which will come into force in a month’s time, “will not apply to the Patriarchs, Major Archbishops, Eparchial Bishops and Exarchs” currently in office “despite them having reached the age of eighty.” (FULL TEXT: Pope sets Eastern Churches Bishops’ age limit for voting at Synods – Vatican News

POPE: 2024 OLYMPICS A CHANCE TO BEAR JOYFUL WITNESS TO CHRIST: As France prepares to host the 33rd Olympic Games in the summer of 2024, Pope Francis has sent a message to French Catholics to urge them to get involved in the sporting event. Paris hosts the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, 2024, along with 16 other cities across metropolitan France and Tahiti, an island within French Polynesia. In his message, Pope Francis expressed his hopes that the Olympics may be “an occasion for profound and fruitful encounter between people from all walks of life, belonging to different peoples, cultures, and religions.”   The Pope said it should be a “joy to welcome the whole world” to France for the Games, as well as a “responsibility.” FULL STORY: Pope: 2024 Olympics a chance to bear joyful witness to Christ – Vatican News