Archbishop Timothy Broglio Archbishop calls for dialogue between US, Iran
Amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the US Archdiocese for the Military Services called on President Donald Trump’s administration to seek “sustained dialogue…to de-escalate the current situation that is a danger to both the region and the world”.
The archbishop’s call for diplomacy rather than military action came in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. His letter was made public on June 19.
The correspondence from the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee for International Justice and Peace outlines the Catholic Church’s long-held stance that has preferred dialogue and engagement as the best actions to resolve political stalemates.
Scottish bishops authorise independent diocesan audit
The Catholic bishops of Scotland have authorised an independent audit of every diocese in the country to ensure child protection procedures are as robust as possible.
Baroness (Helen) Liddell of Coatdyke, chairperson of the Independent Review Group of the Church, said the bishops had “shown a willingness to submit their dioceses to the utmost scrutiny”.
She said that the audits were “a major undertaking, unique in Scotland”, but added that they were necessary because self-administered audits had given the review group “real cause for concern”.
Mexican bill to redefine marriage rejected
The legislature in the state of Sinaloa in northern Mexico has rejected a bill which sought to redefine marriage.
The bill, which sought to amend articles 40 and 165 of the Sinaloa Family Code, was defeated by a vote of 20 to 18.
The rejection of the legislative proposal means that the Sinaloa Family Code continues to recognise in its Article 40 that marriage consists of “one man and one woman, with equal rights, duties and obligations, with the possibility to generate human reproduction in a free, responsible and informed way”.
The failed bill had sought to replace “a man and a woman” with “persons”.
Prominent priest resigns following plagiarism reports
Fr Thomas Rosica, CSB [pictured] has resigned as CEO of the Salt and Light Media Foundation, four months after reports emerged that the priest had plagiarised sections of texts in lectures, op-eds, scholarly articles and other writings. “After 16 years as the founding Chief Executive Officer, I have submitted my resignation to the Board of Directors of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation effective today,” Fr Rosica said in a statement last week. The priest, who led the Salt and Light network since it launched in 2003, was placed on leave from the non-profit in March. Fr Rosica also apologised for his acts of plagiarism.
People in need after Church health facilities seized
All health facilities run by the Church in Eritrea have been seized by the government, the country’s bishops said. Government security officers are said to have removed the staff from the health centres and closed them.
Patients were ordered to go home and soldiers were deployed to guard the centres, the bishops said in a letter to the ministry of health. The Church runs more than 20 clinics in Eritrea, and many are on the property of monasteries. The Church’s main concern is the people in need of the services that the government action has halted, it said.