Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

How on Saturday, Pope Francis gave us his bottom line on Vatican II
- News Analysis
- September 10, 2017
While Pope Francis was in Colombia on Saturday, the Vatican issued a new legal document in his name that transfers the lion’s share of the control over translation of texts for use in Catholic worship to local bishops’ conferences and away from the Vatican. In effect, it was the clearest signal to date of where Francis stands in debates about what went wrong after Vatican II, especially on the issue of collegiality.
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Francis, Trump model ‘keep-em-guessing’ 21st century leadership
- Analysis
- August 3, 2017
Despite vast differences in outlook, experience and agenda, Pope Francis and President Donald Trump share some striking similarities, including a strong maverick streak and a skepticism about the establishments they now lead. A recent essay in “Foreign Affairs” highlights another: Both prefer informal decision-making over established procedures, and both practice “government by surprise.”
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Quebec bishop gets Vatican OK for nun to officiate at wedding
- Catholic News Service, Global Church
- August 2, 2017
A priest shortage led a Canadian bishop to make a request through the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments for permission to have Sister Pierrette Thiffault of the Sisters of Providence perform a wedding ceremony.
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Why the Catholic Church bans gluten-free communion wafers
- Associated Press
- July 23, 2017
The letter that was released recently from the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship had some people, especially those suffering from celiac disease, wondering why gluten must remain in the host. Joanne M. Pierce of the College of the Holy Cross explains a bit of the history.
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Gluten and Communion: What’s a celiac to do?
- Catholic News Agency, Vatican
- July 12, 2017
A layperson affected by celiac disease who is unable to receive even a low-gluten host may receive Communion under the species of wine only. A priest in a similar situation, when taking part in a concelebration, may with permission of the Ordinary receive Communion under the species of wine only.
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Vatican asks bishops to ensure validity of matter for Eucharist
- Catholic News Service, Vatican
- July 10, 2017
A circular letter, “On the bread and wine for the Eucharist,” was sent to diocesan bishops “at the request of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.” Dated June 15 — the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ — the letter was made public by the Vatican July 8. The document underlined that every bishop “is bound to remind priests, especially parish priests and rectors of churches, of their responsibility to verify those who provide the bread and wine for the celebration and the worthiness of the material.”
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