

Vatican Returns Parthenon Marbles to Greece
Completed in the fifth century BC in devotion to the pagan goddess Athena, the Parthenon represents both Athens’ architectural and civilisational apex.
Completed in the fifth century BC in devotion to the pagan goddess Athena, the Parthenon represents both Athens’ architectural and civilisational apex.
The Vatican had warned that it would be a “simple” ceremony. The hearts of the many faithful present were heavy after the death of the holy man who, in his silence and retirement, had remained a reference point of faith and wisdom for them.
The 95-year-old retired pope died at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, his chosen residence after resigning from the papacy in 2013.
The 95-year-old Benedict, who has lived secluded in the Vatican gardens since 2013, has been physically frail, but mentally fit for a long time. It appears his health has taken a turn for the worse.
This latest incident confirms that with respect to non-statist ideology on its turf, the Chinese Communist Party prefers to maintain a vice-like grip.
Cardinal Zen’s arrest in May sparked a wave of international outrage, in contrast to the Vatican’s relative discretion on the matter. This ‘prudence,’ which could be viewed as excessive, provides the morally murky atmosphere necessary for the Vatican to renew the agreement with communist China.
Some people think things have only gotten worse since the 2018 agreement was signed. Vatican diplomacy defends it as a way to protect the Church’s presence in China, even if unsatisfactory.
The reform implemented by Ad charisma tuendum is part of a larger trend to hamper institutions and practices that could be classified as rooted in tradition.
Members of this ‘Synodal Path,’ a group made up of equal numbers of German bishops and lay Catholics, have called for allowing priests to be married, women to become deacons, and same-sex couples to receive the Church’s blessing.
If the Church as we know it is to survive, it must change course immediately. I have no doubt that in any future attempt to salvage what is left of it, Kwasniewski’s analyses will be invaluable.