Cei Archives - Page 3 of 10

Italian bishops threaten break with government over Mass

Apr 27, 2020

On Monday the Italian bishops criticized the government’s omission of a date to restart public Masses in its new week-by-week plan for the return to normal life after the coronavirus, threatening to act autonomously.

By Elise Ann Allen

Like “cacio e pepe”, restarting the Church seems simple but it’s tricky

Apr 26, 2020

The apparent simplicity but actual complexity of “cacio e pepe” may be an apt metaphor for the recipe Catholic bishops in various parts of the world appear to be trying to follow with regard to the resumption of ecclesiastical life after coronavirus lockdowns.

By John L. Allen Jr.

In Italy, popular devotions driving spiritual reaction to COVID-19

Apr 21, 2020

Even in times of strict quarantine when prayer is not a legitimate enough reason to leave one’s house, in Italy expressions of popular piety and devotion are still driving the Catholic Church’s spiritual reaction to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, at times at the explicit request of the faithful.

By Elise Ann Allen

Italian bishops make proposal to government for restarting liturgical life

Apr 17, 2020

Father Ivan Maffeis, spokesman for the Italian bishops’ conference, has said officials Friday met with representatives of the Italian Interior Ministry to discuss the gradual return to a normal
sacramental life, with specific regard to Mass and funerals, though no date has been projected.

By Elise Ann Allen

Italian bishop breaks ranks to publicly challenge coronavirus restrictions

Apr 14, 2020

Now that Italy has begun to relax some of its restrictions, allowing bookstores, stationary shops and stories for babies and children to reopen today, there are signs the compact between church and state over church closures may be fraying.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Leadership may be only antidote to being ‘more Catholic than the pope’

Apr 11, 2020

However silly or politically opportunistic, one reason populist politicians get traction when they raise the question of restarting normal Church life is because they seem to be the only ones talking about it.

By John L. Allen Jr.