Inside The Vatican

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I take a look at who has been invited to the synod on the Amazon region. Who decides who goes to a synod, and what kinds of people do they look for? We talk about several of the high-profile guests and the viewpoints they will bring to the synod hall next month. Next up, we examine some of the plans that the German bishops are making for a national “synodal journey,” a meeting of bishops and lay people that will cover challenging topics like power and authority in the church; sexual morality; the priesthood, including mandatory celibacy; and the role of women in the church, including the possibility of expanding their roles in ministry.  Finally, Pope Francis addressed the United Nations summit by video this week, saying world leaders have not gone far enough to implement the Paris Agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change. We take a look at the particulars of Pope Francis’ stance on climate change and his encouragement of young climate activists.   Links from the show: Vatican releases list of participants for Synod on the Amazon Why can’t women vote at the Synod on Young People? Vatican officials offer guidance for German church ‘synodal journey’ Pope Francis implores global community to do more on climate change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I discuss new comments by the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Arturo Sosa, about Pope Francis’ critics. “The attacks against Pope Francis in the church today,” Father Sosa said, are “a fight between those who want the church dreamed of by the Second Vatican Council and those who do not want this.” Next, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis-St. Paul has become the first bishop to be asked by the Vatican to investigate a fellow bishop according to new Vatican laws on sexual abuse investigations. Gerry and I explain why although at least one investigation has been ordered, the laws have a long way to go before they are fully implemented. Finally, we talk about Pope Francis’ recent dialogues with Eastern Catholic bishops, and what he means when he says that unity does not mean uniformity when it comes to the Eastern churches. We also explain, briefly, the differences between Eastern Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox Church, and unpack the significance of Pope Francis’ gift of relics of St. Peter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Links from the show: Father Sosa: Attacks against Pope Francis are aimed at influencing the next conclave Analysis: Why do some Catholics oppose Pope Francis? Minnesota archbishop opens sexual misconduct investigation into fellow bishop Pope urges Eastern Catholic bishops to promote ecumenism Pope Francis gives Orthodox patriarch relics of St. Peter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s “Inside the Vatican” is all about Pope Francis’ trip to sub-Saharan Africa. First, Gerry will give us some context on the three nations the pope visited: Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. What sets these nations apart? Then, we’ll talk about what Pope Francis’ goals were for this visit: what issues and people he wanted to highlight, and why. Finally, Gerry and I will unpack the pope’s comments about his critics aboard the papal plane. “I am honored when the Americans attack me,” Pope Francis said on the way to Mozambique. On the return trip, he addressed the possibility of a schism, saying “I am not afraid of schisms. I pray they do not happen.” Fresh off the papal flight, Gerry explains some of the context for these comments, and whether a schism may actually happen.   Links from the show: Pope Francis to journalist: ‘I am honored that the Americans attack me.’ Pope Francis celebrates the fruits of peace in Mozambique The anti-poverty project Pope Francis will visit in Madagascar Pope Francis to Mozambicans: ‘You have a right to peace’ Pope Francis calls on Madagascar’s leaders to fight corruption, eliminate poverty and protect the environment Pope Francis tells Madagascar’s bishops: Be sowers of faith, hope and peace in this land of contradictions Pope Francis in Madagascar: We cannot remain indifferent. “Poverty is not inevitable!”: Pope Francis’ message to the young people of Madagascar 400 years after first Jesuits arrived, Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Mauritius Pope Francis praises diversity of Mauritius but encourages greater openness to migrants Pope Francis on plane: ‘I am not afraid of schisms. I pray they do not happen.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I update you on who Pope Francis has chosen to make cardinals next month. The surprise announcement came after the pope was stuck in an elevator for 25 minutes! In this episode, we break down who has been chosen for a red hat, and what these selections tell us about the pope’s priorities. Next, we talk about the fires that have raged in the Amazon rainforest and the tension that is growing between the Catholic church in Brazil and the Bolsonaro administration there. What is it about the Synod on the Amazon that makes the government so nervous? Finally, we’ll give you an update on the case of Cardinal George Pell, the Australian Cardinal found guilty of sexually abusing a child last year. His most recent appeal was rejected, but the Vatican’s investigation may continue for years. Links from the show: Pope to create 13 new cardinals in October, including three Jesuits Pope Francis rescued from trapped elevator by Vatican firefighters Pope Francis urges action to save burning Amazon rainforest Latin American bishops sound the alarm: “If the Amazon suffers, the world suffers” Vatican issues statement after Australian court dismisses Cardinal Pell’s appeal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” we’ll talk about the pope’s address to a group of theologians in Naples, which included a call for online learning opportunities for refugees who want to study theology. Then, we’ll update you on Cardinal Pell’s appeal case in Australia, and what awaits him after a decision is made. What effect will the civil court’s decision have on his church investigation?  Next, we ask: What does the pope do on vacation?  Finally, since it’s our last episode before our summer break, we’ll talk about some of the stories we’ll be keeping our eyes on over the next few months, including a visit by Vladimir Putin to Vatican City. Links from the show: Pope Francis to theologians in Naples: One cannot do theology without freedom Inside the Vatican examines Cardinal Pell’s mixed legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Inside the Vatican, we talk about the U.S. bishops’ new resolutions on sexual abuse. How does the USCCB compare to other bishops conferences around the world? Then, we take a look at a new document prepared for the synod on the Amazon region, that officially introduces the possibility of ordaining married men. What are the implications for the rest of the church? And, what other findings in the document might we have overlooked? Links: Vatican will discuss ordaining married men as priests in Amazon region U.S. bishops adopt new protocols for holding themselves accountable for sex abuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I unpack a the most comprehensive Vatican document on gender identity yet. The document, which was released by the Congregation for Education, seeks to address what it calls “an educational crisis” surrounding sexuality and gender. Why is it so important? And what have transgender Catholics in the United States said about it? Then, we htalk about what’s on the table at the U.S. bishops’ meeting, happening this week. Does Rome pay attention to these national meetings? And what are they saying about sex abuse? Vatican issues new document criticizing ‘gender theory’ Listen to the L.G.B.T. person: a response to the Vatican’s gender theory document Bishops debate extent of lay involvement in sex abuse response Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing the Jesuitical podcast from America Media.This week, while Colleen and Gerry are out, the Jesuitical hosts interview Hans Zollner, S.J.Father Zollner has dedicated his life to protecting children from the horrific crime of sexual abuse. A psychologist and Jesuit priest, he has guided the church’s efforts to bring healing to survivors and to prevent such abuse from happening again. Father Zollner meets regularly with survivors and as one of the organizers of the Vatican summit on sexual abuse in February helped to lift up their voices.To learn more about Jesuitical, visit www.Jesuiticalshow.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I discuss the first four women to be named to the Vatican’s office for synods. We talk about who these women are, how women’s involvement in Vatican leadership is changing, and what positions may be opened to women next. Then, we unpack the most recent developments in the case of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. After the Archdiocese of New York found credible accusations that McCarrick had abused a minor, heated debate began over who knew what when about McCarrick’s misconduct. Correspondence leaked this week by McCarrick’s former secretary complicate the story, so on this episode, Gerry and I parse what we now know about each of the last three popes’ awareness of McCarrick’s case. Finally, the pope is traveling to Romania this weekend. Gerry tells us briefly what to expect. Links from the show: October 2018: Why can’t women vote at the Synod on Young People? Reuters: Pope names women to key Vatican department for first time Former secretary says officials knew McCarrick’s ministry was restricted In Mexican TV interview, Pope Francis denies knowing of McCarrick restrictions Pope Francis is visiting Romania. Here’s what to expect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I unpack a recent confrontation between the Italian bishops and the pope, which came after the bishops failed to implement the pope’s 2015 annulment reforms. We talk about what those reforms were, and what this tells us about the way the Vatican is able to enforce change. Then, we talk economics. Whenever Pope Francis discusses the economy, it sets off cries that the pope is a socialist or a communist. So this week, we ask: Is the pope a socialist? What is his vision for the economy? Finally, we dig into the pope’s comments to journalists about fake news, freedom of the press, and why he thinks women make good reporters. Congratulations to Jeff Johnson, the winner of our raffle of Gerry’s book, “The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History.” Links from the show: Inside the Vatican: A brief explanation of the Vatican-China deal Pope Francis recognizes Chinese bishops ordained without papal approval Pope Francis asks Italian bishops finally to implement marriage tribunal reforms Pope Francis invites young people to pledge to build a new economy Pope Francis tells the press: ‘The church is on your side,’ denounces fake news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices