Category Archives: The Pope

Did Pope Francis Already Write a Resignation Letter?

Q:  In light of the Holy Father’s present illness, I found an article online which was written a few years ago.  It says that Pope Francis told an interviewer in 2013 that he had already written a resignation letter and … Continue reading

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Limiting Diocesan Bishops’ Authority: Recent Decrees From Pope Francis

Q:  I would like to ask a question about diocesan bishops and episcopal authority, but I don’t know how to formulate it.  I hope you’ll bear patiently with me, there’s a confused jumble of ideas in my head! These ideas … Continue reading

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Fiducia Supplicans and the Magisterium

Q:  When reading news about Fiducia Supplicans, and then reading the declaration itself, I was struck by this statement it contains about the Church’s Magisterium: Such theological reflection, based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis, implies a real development … Continue reading

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Removing a Bishop From His Diocese: The Case of Bishop Strickland

Q: I don’t need to tell you, practically the whole Catholic world is looking at the removal of Bishop Strickland from [his diocese of] Tyler, [Texas,] and wondering what happened and why.  From the perspective of canon law, what did … Continue reading

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Can Laypeople Hold Top Vatican Positions?

Q: My husband and I are hoping that you can clear up our confusion about the significance of this article … about Pope Francis reorganizing the different offices in the Vatican.  It sounds to us like the Pope says that … Continue reading

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