Yesterday I posted a number of stories about the Fr. Marko Rupnik case and even wrote on my Twitter/ X account, “Rome must speak!” Rome spoke today as you will see. The press office statement about the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is only a start to getting to the truth in this case. but it does raise questions of its own. Did the Holy Father. for example, only learn in September what the PCPM brought to him? Has absolutely no collaborator kept him up to date on Rupnik’s movements, on the effect it is having on so many?
I’ve asked this before: Has anyone ever told the Holy Father or his advisors that, for millions of people around the world, perception is reality! What might seem like a simple off-the-cuff statement by the Pope, for example, if it is not clear, can lead people to perceive something other than what he intended (or what they wanted to hear!).
At least we now are a bit out of the starting gate!
VATICAN INSIDER: CARDINAL PELL CONTRA MUNDUM
I’m sure that curious title got you wondering what this week’s interview is about! You will not want to miss my guest in the interview segment of Vatican Insider this weekend – Fr, Robert Sirico, co-founder and president emeritus of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. (Acton photo)
Fr. Sirico is a prolific author, sought-after speaker and a good friend, and this week we talk about the late Cardinal George Pell and the synod on synodality as presented in Father’s just-released book “Pell Contra Mundum.” Contra Mundum is an expression that describes a person with a steadfast commitment to one’s values and the courage to go against the prevailing norms or majority consensus. An eye-opening conversation.
The book is in 4 languages and eminently readable. In addition to what Fr. Sirico writes and the selected pieces by Cardinal Pell, there are contributions by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, Danny Casey, who worked alongside Cardinal Pell as director of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy, and George Weigel.
IN THE UNITED STATES, you can listen to Vatican Insider (VI) on a Catholic radio station near you (stations listed at www.ewtn.com) or on channel 130 Sirius-XM satellite radio, or on http://www.ewtn.com. OUTSIDE THE U.S., you can listen to EWTN radio on our website home page by clicking on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” VI airs at 5am and 9pm ET on Saturdays and 6am ET on Sundays. On the GB-IE feed (which is on SKY in the UK and Ireland), VI airs at 5:30am, 12 noon and 10pm CET on Sundays. Both of these feeds are also available on the EWTN app and on www.ewtnradio.net ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWN TIME ZONE! For VI archives: https://www.ewtn.com/radio/audio-archive – write the name of the guest for whom you are searching in the SEARCH box. Below that, will appear “Vatican Insider” – click on that and the link to that particular episode will appear.
POPE LIFTS STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON RUPNIK CASE, PAVES WAY FOR CANONICAL PROCEDURE
The Holy See Press Office today released the following statement: “In September the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors brought to the Pope’s attention that there were serious problems in the handling of the Fr. Marko Rupnik case and a lack of outreach to victims. Consequently the Holy Father asked the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith To review the case, and decided to lift the statute of limitations to allow a process to take place. The Pope is firmly convinced that if there is one thing the Church must learn from the Synod it is to listen attentively and compassionately to those who are suffering, especially those who feel marginalized from the Church.”
STUDENT ASKS POPE TO SIGN LETTER ALLOWING HIM TO MISS CLASS
Wyatt Olivias, a 19-year-old student at the University of Wyoming and the youngest participant in the synod, asked Pope Francis to sign a letter requesting he be excused from classes in order to rest after four weeks of work at the Synod General Assembly. (vatican photo)
Wyatt is a missionary at the Catholic youth program Totus Tuus, and a catechist in his home diocese of Cheyenne.
Due to leave Rome Monday, October 30, his schedule called for him to be in a class Tuesday morning after a 13-hour flight to Wyoming. He drafted a letter, explained his predicament to the Pope who then signed the English language letter with his small, handwritten “Francesco”.
Joan's Rome 