Pope keeps cleric who leads nun crackdown in job
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday effectively demoted a highly conservative Italian cardinal who led the Vatican's department on clergy, while keeping in place a German prelate who wages the Catholic church's crackdown on liberal U.S. nuns and helps craft its sex-abuse response.
After six months on the job to study the workings of the Vatican's curia, or bureaucracy, Francis has now put his imprint on several key positions which help administer the Roman Catholic church's worldwide flock. His management picks will likely both please and disappoint both conservatives and liberals alike, perhaps in line with his fledgling papacy, which has often defied labels in either camp.
Francis removed Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, with a reputation for being highly traditional on matters of liturgy and the question of priestly celibacy, from the important post of prefect of the congregation for clergy. Piacenza had only held that post since 2010, when he was appointed by Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, whose retro tastes in papal vestments and preference for traditional ceremonies found a supporter in the Italian prelate.
The pope transferred Piacenza to a decidedly lower command post, that of head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a little-known Vatican tribunal that deals with confessions of sins so grave only a pope can grant absolution, such as the case of a priest who violates confessional secrecy.
Piacenza will be replaced by another Italian, Beniamino Stella, already serving in the Vatican's bureaucracy. His office faces many challenges, including how to reverse a priest shortage in much of the developed world and respond to persistent calls from within the rank-and-file faithful as well as some clergy that the pope consider allowing priests to marry.
In another important decision, Francis left Archbishop Gerhard Mueller in the powerful role of prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Mueller, originally appointed by Benedict XVI, directs the Holy See's crackdown on nuns suspected of undermining Catholic teaching on the priesthood and homosexuality. His office also shapes policy dealing with clergy who sexually abuse minors.
Under Mueller's tenure, critics of the Vatican's strategy have so far been frustrated in their lobbying for Vatican and other church hierarchy to be held accountable for policy that for decades left pedophile priests in their ministry, merely shuffling them from parish to parish when complaints emerged.
In another watched appointment, Monsignor Nikola Eterovic, who was the official in charge of bishop synods, the occasional gatherings that bring bishops together to discuss important policies or regional problems, was transferred to the Vatican's diplomatic corps. He will now serve as papal ambassador to Germany.
Just how much influence the conclusions of these synods should have at the Vatican has long been debated. By putting a new man in charge of that office, Francis, who was archbishop of Buenos Aires when elected pope, has the opportunity to apply his vision to the role of bishops in the church's decision-making policy.
Francis picked Monsignor Lorenzo Baldisseri, who had long served in Vatican diplomatic posts in South America, to lead the synod office. In appointing new Vatican managers, the pope, who has said repeatedly he likes to be in touch with ordinary people, has now turned to several diplomats, whose careers have taught them to be closely attuned to local sensibilities in their posted countries.
In the wide-ranging interview he gave to fellow Jesuits over the summer, and which was published earlier in the week, Francis indicated he would like to see structural reforms at the synod level and in other church areas. But more than concrete detail, the pope is stressing a need for attitude change. If his vision of a church more embracing of its flock takes root, that could mean greater influence in Vatican policy-making by church's bishops, who deal with the wide variety of issues and circumstances often particular to their churches.
In a separate development, the Vatican confirmed that Francis would lead an assembly of cardinals on Sept. 30 in the Apostolic Palace to announce the much-awaited date for the ceremony to make both Pope John XXIII and John Paul II saints. Thousands of faithful are expected to flock to St. Peter's Square the day of the announcement.
A first plan to hold the solemn ceremony for both widely beloved pontiffs envisioned holding the canonization on Dec. 8, when the Church celebrates a feast day in honor of the Virgin Mary. But that date soon was deemed as impractical, since great numbers of Poles from John Paul's homeland would risk driving or taking buses on what could be dangerously icy roads to come to the ceremony. Sometime in spring 2014, when weather is milder, is considered the likely choice.
- Religion & Beliefs
- Society & Culture
Recommended for You
Braves grab NL East title, beat Cubs 5-2
CHICAGO (AP) — Freddie Freeman stood at the front of the cramped visiting clubhouse at Wrigley Field. Wearing a champagne-soaked gray T-shirt celebrating Atlanta's NL East title, the big first baseman dreamed of more parties next month.
Associated PressSC Sen. Graham in toughest re-election of career
AIKEN, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham is showing no signs of changing how he operates as he faces the biggest challenge of his political career.
Associated PressTop-10 Credit Cards for Excellent Credit
For people with excellent credit. Compare exclusive offers side-by-side and apply online for the card that is right for you.
AdChoices CreditCards.comSponsoredNow they’re arresting people who complain about the Common Core
A YouTube video went viral over the weekend showing a parent who got violently arrested for expressing his frustrations about the implementation of the Common Core at a public forum Thursday night in the suburbs of Baltimore.
The Daily CallerApple sets new record for iPhones sales launch
NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - Apple said Monday it sold a record nine million iPhones in the three days after launching two new versions of the smartphone.
AFPRussia's Putin says Syria violence could hit ex-Soviet bloc
By Alexei Anishchuk SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin warned ex-Soviet allies on Monday that Islamist militancy fuelling the war in Syria could reach their countries, some of which have Muslim majorities. Russia, which has a large Muslim minority of its own and is fighting…
ReutersGirl, 7, Dies at Auto Show in Santa Fe Springs, Family Member Says
A 7-year-old girl died at an auto show in Santa Fe Springs, a family member said. Jennifer Gould reports.
KTLA - Los Angeles'Breaking Bad' finally makes good with best drama Emmy
By Mary Milliken LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Television drama "Breaking Bad" won the top Primetime Emmy award for the first time on Sunday, just as the gritty tale of a chemistry teacher turned meth cook and drug kingpin winds down to widespread acclaim. Although it won best drama series for its fifth…
ReutersSexy biker look for Versace at Milan show
MILAN (AFP) - Denim, leathers and chains were the look at Versace's Milan Fashion Week show on Friday, as the family-owned brand looks for a possible investor to buy a stake.
AFPRising immigrant deaths put burden on Texas county
FALFURRIAS, Texas (AP) — By the time the woman perished, she had probably slogged 25 miles through dry ranch lands in her quest to enter the United States. She was found just feet from a highway where she might have been picked up and taken to Houston with other migrants making the same journey.
Associated PressIn Miami, Cuban travelers get taste of US tourism
MIAMI (AP) — At 67, Cuban taxi driver Benito Perez had never been on a plane.
Associated PressRihanna's Selfie Accidentally Alerts Authorities to Wildlife Smugglers
While vacationing on the island of Phuket this weekend, pop star Rihanna enjoyed her usual activities; she partied hard, hung out on the beach, and Instagrammed a ton of selfies, including the one above, showing her cuddling with a slow loris.
Takepart.comChina releases list of goods banned from export to North Korea
BEIJING (Reuters) - China has released a list of technologies and goods banned from export to North Korea because of their possible use in building nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. China and other members of the United Nations have declined in the…
ReutersPope seeks easing of rigid Catholic doctrine
VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Francis has urged a break with the Catholic Church's harsh "obsession" with divorce, gays, contraception and abortion, in an interview signalling a dramatic shift in the Vatican's tone.
AFPNorth Dakota town ready for trouble as white supremacists stake claims
By Dave Thompson BISMARCK, North Dakota (Reuters) - Grant County Sheriff Steve Bay is ready for fireworks if clashes break out between a band of neo-Nazi white supremacists and protesters determined to keep them from taking over the tiny North Dakota town of Leith. With a population of just two…
ReutersStream TV Shows and Movies Anywhere Any Time
Take Netflix anywhere you go. Unlimited streaming from your favorite device for only $7.99/month.
AdChoices NetflixSponsoredTycoon plans $8 billion Chinese Hollywood
QINGDAO, China (AP) — China's richest man plans to spend 50 billion yuan ($8.2 billion) to build the country's version of Hollywood in the northeastern city of Qingdao.
Associated Press22 mins agoBritish taxpayer-funded Muslim school bans fairy tales, requires hijabs for females
The first taxpayer-funded Muslim school in Great Britain has allegedly banned fairy tales because they are “non-Islamic.” The school also forces all female teachers — including teachers who are not adherents of Islam — to wear headscarves.The hardline Muslims who run al Madinah School in Derby have…
The Daily CallerGirl gets school excused note from President Obama
Watch the report from Action News
WPVI – PhiladelphiaChildren with autism practice travel at NYC's JFK
NEW YORK (AP) — Tom and Zsuzsa Price arrived at Kennedy International Airport, their four young children in tow, full of anxiety. Four-year-old Callum has autism and the whole family had never been on a plane together.
Associated Press48 mins agoChicago swarms its way to perfect 3-0 start
PITTSBURGH (AP) — At the rate the Chicago Bears' defense is scoring, the offense might not be able to keep up.
Associated Press5 Things to Know After Cowboys Roll Past Rams 31-7
5 things to know after DeMarco Murray, Tony Romo lead Cowboys to 31-7 rout of Rams
ABC News
Latest Videos
Yahoo News Originals
- More Merkel: The upshot of the German election
- Kenya mall hostage drama: Live updates
- Ted Cruz: ‘Embarrassed’ to have supported McCain for president in 2008
- Famous People with Un-famous Faces: Do you know who I am? (Video)
- Should adjunct college professors be paid more?
- Hillary Clinton 'not in any hurry' to make decision on 2016
- NRA's LaPierre on Navy Yard shootings: 'There weren't enough good guys with guns'
- Woman ‘jet hikes’ across country riding in private planes
- Florida man selling ‘extra terrestrial vehicle’ on eBay
- California teen named nation's first transgender homecoming queen