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Transgender people can be baptised and be godparents, Vatican says

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According to recent announcements from the Vatican’s doctrinal office, the Catholic Church is allowing transgender individuals to be baptized, serve as godparents at a baptism, and act as witnesses at weddings, as long as these actions do not cause scandal or confusion among the faithful. This updated stance reflects Pope Francis’s efforts to create a more inclusive environment for LGBT individuals within the Church. The decision was prompted by inquiries from Brazilian Bishop José Negri, with the response signed by the head of the dicastery, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and approved by Pope Francis.

Regarding baptism, the document emphasizes that transgender individuals, even those who have undergone hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery, may be baptized under the same conditions as other believers, provided that their baptism does not result in public scandal or disorientation among the faithful.

The guidance also addresses other questions raised by Bishop Negri. It allows for transgender individuals who have undergone hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery to serve as godparents, but acknowledges that priests may refuse this request if there is a risk of scandal or disorientation within the Church community.

Furthermore, the Vatican’s response suggests that the decision to baptize a child of same-sex parents or those who use a surrogate mother should be based on the expectation that the child would be raised within the Catholic faith. Similarly, it suggests that individuals in same-sex relationships can serve as godparents at a Church baptism if they lead a life that adheres to the teachings of the faith.

This announcement builds upon Pope Francis’s recent statements indicating a more compassionate approach towards LGBT individuals within the Church, including the possibility of priests blessing same-sex couples. However, the Church still maintains its position that same-sex relationships are considered “objectively sinful” and does not recognize same-sex marriage.

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Pope Holds Meeting with Clerical Sexual Abuse Survivors in Portugal

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During his five-day visit to Portugal, Pope Francis held a private meeting with victims of clerical sexual abuse. The Vatican described the gathering, which took place on Wednesday, as an occasion of intense listening. A recent report revealed that at least 4,815 children in Portugal had suffered abuse, and the Church had attempted to systematically cover up the issue.

At an evening service in Lisbon, Pope Francis acknowledged the need for the Church to heed the anguished cries of the victims. He emphasized the importance of a continual process of purification in response to the scandal, which had also led to a growing detachment from practicing the faith among believers.

The meeting was conducted at the Holy See’s diplomatic mission in Portugal and included 13 abuse survivors, lasting for over an hour. Representatives from the Portuguese Church responsible for protecting minors also attended the meeting.

In February, an independent commission established by the Catholic Church in Portugal released a report documenting the experiences of 564 individuals who reported abuse by priests or other Church figures. This study, similar to audits conducted in other regions, covered cases dating back to 1950 and suggested that the actual number of victims could be much higher.

The Pope’s visit to Portugal coincided with World Youth Day, a week-long event organized by the Church every few years in different cities worldwide, celebrating religious and cultural activities.

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Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

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Former Pope Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, over a decade after stepping down due to ill health. He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years before becoming the first Pope to retire since Gregory XII in 1415 in 2013.

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae convent within the Vatican walls, where he died on Saturday at 09:34 (08:34 GMT). On January 5, his successor, Pope Francis, will officiate at the funeral. The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be put in St Peter’s Basilica on January 2 for “the greeting of the faithful,” according to the Vatican.

After the former Pope’s death was announced, bells rang out from Munich Cathedral, and a solitary bell rang out from St Peter’s Square in Rome.

The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, claimed Pope Benedict was “one of the great thinkers of the 20th century”.

He stated in a statement: “I recall with fondness the extraordinary Papal Visit to these regions in 2010. We witnessed his kindness, tenderness, perceptiveness of mind, and openness to everyone he encountered.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the former pope “a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was a historic event for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country”.

People began arriving in St Peter’s Square in Rome after learning of the previous Pope’s death. Although the previous pontiff has been ailing for some time, Vatican officials stated his condition had worsened due to his advanced age.

Pope Francis asked his final audience of the year at the Vatican on Wednesday to “pray a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict,” who he said was very unwell. Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, was 78 when he became one of the oldest popes ever elected in 2005.

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Pope Instagram activity comes under dark cloud

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The social media activities of Pope have come under dark cloud, as it has been found that a photo of a scantily clad Brazilian model was liked from the official account of the Pope.

The revelation has put the social media activities of the Pope under dark cloud.

The Vatican has not yet publicly commended about the development.

The Church city has launched a thorough investigation into this matter.

Actually, the activity came to the notice of media house when the photo was unliked by the official account of the Pope.   

The development has triggered a serious conversation around the subject. The matter has also emerged in several social media platforms.

There is a suspicion that the official account of the Pope was hacked.

It needs a detailed investigation to bring out the truth.

It is unfortunate that the Holy See has come under the cloud of this kind of allegation.

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Vatican prosecutes two priests in a case of alleged sexual abuse

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As many as two priests have been prosecuted by Vatican in a case of alleged sexual abuse, upholding its assurance that the city state will not take the issue of sexual abuse lightly.

This is the first time the city state has taken up a case like this.

One of the two who has been implicated in the crime is accused of sexually assaulting an alter boy. The other is charged with covering up the alleged assault.

Both the charges are very serious in nature.

Notably, the accused priests have not responded to the allegations levelled against them in the court.

At present, the Catholic community, which is the most respected community in the country, is in a crisis. It is only the leadership of the community which can save the community from this danger.

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Italian woman booked over Vatican’s complaint

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A thirty-nine-year-old Italian woman has been booked on the charges of embezzlement over the complaint filed by Vatican.

She was an employee of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a senior Vatican official who was recently demoted over a similar charge.

The arrest has been made after an Interpol warrant was issued against her in connection with this matter.

 The woman has denied the charge levelled against her. She has admitted that she received a payment of €500,000 from Cardinal Becciu.

She has defended her stand, by saying that the payment was made to her to provide parallel diplomacy to help missionaries in conflict areas.

The Cardinal has also supported the argument raised by the woman.

Like the woman, the demoted church official has also denounced the allegation that was levelled against him.

The allegation has severely damaged the reputation of the Vatican administration. The administration needs to do an herculean task to erase the damage made by the latest development.   

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Unexpected resignation exposes flaws in Vatican administrative structure

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The unexpected resignation of a high-ranking Vatican official, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, has exposed the flaws in the Vatican administrative structure.

The resigned Cardinal alleged that he was told to file his resignation by Pope Francis

As per a report, the ousted Cardinal was earlier placed under suspension for misusing Church money.

The allegation against the Cardinal was that he illegally handed Church money to his brothers.

The ousted Cardinal has denounced all allegations levelled against him.

A little-known fact is that Cardinal Becciu was a close aide to the Pope.

Once the said Cardinal was an important officer in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.

It was a corruption allegation linked to a controversial deal to invest in a luxury London building which damaged the image of this priest.

The issue placed the priest under the spotlight of a financial investigation.

It is the first time in the recent history that a senior member of the Vatican administration has been removed from the corridor of power.

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