Cardinal Robert Sarah offers Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for his 50th anniversary of priesthood in 2019. / Credit: Evandro Inetti/CNA.
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 29, 2021 / 12:00 pm (CNA).
The past year had no shortage of news in the Catholic realm, both in the Vatican and beyond. Read on for a recap of some of the most important – and interesting – figures who made headlines this year.
President Joe Biden
On Jan. 20, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) was sworn in as the second Catholic president of the United States. Born in Scranton, PA and raised in Delaware, Biden attended Catholic grammar and high school before matriculating at the University of Delaware.
Since becoming president, Biden has faced criticism from both the left and the right over his various positions, as well as his continued reception of the Eucharist at Mass. As president, Biden eliminated many pro-life policies from the Trump era. He met with Pope Francis in late October, where the two purportedly discussed the Eucharist.
Cardinal Robert Sarah
Cardinal Robert Sarah, a native of Guinea, resigned as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in February 2021. Sarah, who had reached the retirement age of 75 in June 2020, was the most senior African prelate at the Vatican. He had been appointed head of the liturgy department by Pope Francis in November 2014.
Sarah had previously served as the president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
“Today, the Pope accepted the resignation of my office as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship after my seventy-fifth birthday. I am in God’s hands. The only rock is Christ. We will meet again very soon in Rome and elsewhere,” said Sarah on Twitter following his resignation.
Jonathan Goodall and Fr. Michael Nazir-Ali
Each year, many people cross the proverbial Tiber and are received into the Catholic Church. This fall, however, the Tiber Swim Team landed two big-name recruits: two former Church of England bishops.
Jonathan Goodall, the former Anglican bishop of Ebbsfleet, announced on Sept. 3, the feast of St. Gregory the Great, that he was stepping down from his position and entering into full communion with the Catholic Church. The date was a nice touch, as St. Gregory the Great launched a mission to convert the then-pagan England to Christianity.
Goodall was formally received into the Church on Sept. 8. He said his decision came after “only after a long period of prayer, which has been among the most testing periods of my life.” He said he was “abidingly grateful to all who have so generously supported Sarah and me in these years, especially the laity and clergy of the See of Ebbsfleet — who have been the focus and joy of my ministry and devotion since becoming bishop in 2013,” and that it was “an immense privilege” to have been bishop.
Not to be outdone, a few weeks later the now-Fr. Michael Nazir-Ali announced that he, too, would be entering into full communion with the Catholic Church. Nazir-Ali, the former Anglican bishop of Rochester, entered into full communion with Rome within the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham on Sept. 29. He was ordained a deacon on Oct. 28, and then a priest on Oct. 30.
Unlike Goodall, who came from a more conservative Anglican background, Nazir-Ali described himself as being part of the “Evangelical” wing of Anglicanism. At one point, he was considered to be a possible future Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the world’s 85 million Anglicans.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)’s bishop. Cordileone and Pelosi are both Catholic. And that’s about where their similarities end.
Pelosi, a committed Democrat, lamented that the support of pro-life voters for former President Donald Trump was an issue that “gives me great grief as a Catholic.” Pelosi made the comment on a Jan. 18 podcast with former senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
“I think that Donald Trump is president because of the issue of a woman’s right to choose,” said Pelosi, implying that pro-life voters boosted Trump to victory in 2016. She added that these voters “were willing to sell the whole democracy down the river for that one issue.”
Cordileone rebuked Pelosi in a statement issued days later, saying, “No Catholic in good conscience can favor abortion” and that “Our land is soaked with the blood of the innocent, and it must stop,” he said.
The archbishop also promoted a “Rose and a Rosary for Nancy Pelosi” campaign, which saw more than 16,000 people commit to praying for Pelosi’s change of heart on life issues.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas wrapped up a three-year stint as the head of the USCCB’s pro-life committee in 2021. The outspoken defender of life unleashed on Biden in a Feb. 13 interview with Catholic World Report.
“The president should stop defining himself as a devout Catholic, and acknowledge that his view on abortion is contrary to Catholic moral teaching. It would be a more honest approach from him to say he disagreed with his Church on this important issue and that he was acting contrary to Church teaching,” said Naumann.
“When he says he is a devout Catholic, we bishops have the responsibility to correct him. Although people have given this president power and authority, he cannot define what it is to be a Catholic and what Catholic moral teaching is,” the archbishop added. He further called for the bishops to “correct” the president, “as the president is acting contrary to the Catholic faith.”
Sr. Lucile Andre Randon
The coronavirus pandemic continued throughout the world in 2021, killing hundreds of thousands of people. One person who beat it, however, was the world’s second-oldest person: a French nun named Sr. Lucile Andre Randon.
Right before Randon’s 117th birthday, coronavirus swept through the Sainte Catherine Labouré retirement home in Toulon, southern France. Eighty-one of the 88 residents of the facility tested positive in January of this year, and 10 died.
Fortunately, Randon did not display any symptoms of the disease and recovered in time to celebrate her birthday on Feb. 11.
Asked if she was scared of COVID, she told France’s BFM television, “No, I wasn’t scared because I wasn’t scared to die… I’m happy to be with you, but I would wish to be somewhere else – join my big brother and my grandfather and my grandmother.”
Hidilyn Diaz
The covid-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics finally were staged in the Summer of 2021, and Catholic athletes shined on the world stage.
On the third full day of the games, Hidilyn Diaz won the first gold medal for the Philippines, inspiring an entire nation with her faith, grit, and perseverance. Diaz’s triumph came in the women’s 55-kilogram weightlifting event, and she won gold with an Olympic record lift of a combined weight of 224 kilograms.
After completing her final lift in a very close competition, Diaz held her hands to her face, burst into tears and clutched at her Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary hanging from her neck. Later, on the podium at the medal ceremony, Diaz pointed skyward after singing the Philippine national anthem, then made the Sign of the Cross before stepping down and shouting “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” (“Long live the Philippines!”)
[…]
Clinton Foundation and Vatican link?
The optics just get worse and worse.
Just what the world, the Church and God need – a woke Vatican just desperate to curry favor with the elite.
They all steal from the Bible. They are inviting in the charlatans.
Sol, it’s indeed the optics. “It is sometimes a bit of a shock to be reminded that, in operational and practical fact, the medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium, of any extension of ourselves result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves” (Marshall McLuhan The Medium is the Message). What the Vatican health conference convey’s isn’t the technical organization of the conference. Rather it’s what the Vatican does with it, that is to say the message conveyed to the world of this Vatican’s apparent identification with the anti life convictions of the participants. As McLuhan would say an extension of the participants, and most egregiously the organizers.
Stop this insanity! Only pro lifers, pro marriage, Pro conservative folks should be invited to this conference.
Change this!
That is exactly right! —-so now the faithful should swallow, sit down and be quiet! How many will accept and how many will fight, that is the question? I hope many will set their sails and fight, fasting and prayer included. St. Paul didn’t stop and neither should we.
The pope has been in the news a lot lately and it’s all bad I’m afraid. In connection with the Vatican Bank corruption and confiscation of funds, using their Leonardo De Vinci satellites to conspire in American election fraud, participation with the “new world order” proponents in Davos, and now inviting Pro-abortion Clinton Foundation to comment on Health and the Soul. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve been a Catholic all my life and I am disgusted and embarrassed to have these allegations put forth on a daily basis. Time to investigate what’s going on and clean it up.
Indeed Michelle.
Yes, such noted ‘experts’.
This papacy relishes being…of the world.
That line up says it all, doesn’t it, about this Vatican? Unreal. It’s amazing whom they want us to consider credible. I guess it’s an opportunity to hang out with celebrities. Oh yes, and when your own cardinals ask for a conversation about Catholic dogma … no time for them. It’s become a joke. A pathetic joke. These are sad times for the Church. And, a little investigative reporting would be welcome. How much Peter Pence money is going into this star-studded event?
It is interesting to read so called defenders of the faith who judge others “unworthy” to receive Jesus in the Eucharist while the question and critize Christ’s Vicar Pope Francis. It seems they all forget Jesus reached out to sinners and condemned the self righteous legalistic. Those pointing the finger at Fauci, Biden etc. are the true heretics because they have greater loyalty to an ideology and when in comes to politics supported a rapist,corrupt puppet of the evil one they follow
What nonsense are you trying to sell under cover of darkness?
Jesus Himself who judged Judas unworthy. We follow him. We don’t follow you or others who speak with utensils in their mouths.
I neither supported nor voted for Bill Clinton.
I understand your perspective. A massive difference, is that Christ wasn’t seeking guidance from criminals, prostitutes and murderers. He was giving them everlasting life by commanding them to change their ways and repent. So unless this is going to be a massive intervention via zoom led by the Vatican to call on these people to change their ways, it’s an embarrassment to the church and NOTHING that resembles Christ’s attitude towards sinners.
Indeed a bit of light is in order here. People that publicly embrace grave evil and promote grave evil are by their own acts making themselves unworthy to receive the Holy Eucharist, King of heaven and earth. These people commit sacrilege. They bring judgement upon themselves.
I agree. This Vatican is harvesting hate and mistrust. Not serving the faithful.
This is a joke, right?
I was completely oblivious to what was going on in the world. I was suddenly awaken last year when they all told us to go home…thank God. I have returned to Jesus and the tradition precisely to counteract this diabolical shift and the goal of these people: shake the foundations of the church and scatter the sheeps in the woods, where the wolves lay, patiently waiting…but their plan has no foundation and will ultimately collapse. I feel kind of sorry for them, I don’t hate them, on the contrary, I pray for them. In fact they are sowing what they reep for they are the lost sheeps who have chosen power and money over God. I sincerely wish they see their way, because all I want in the end, is everybody to go in Heaven.
Remind me to never again give a dime to the Catholic Church. I’ll find other, more worthy, charities to lend my financial support.
AMEN.. That’s what I have done!!
Dear Deacon, This should surely interest you!
March 12, 2021
ROME (AP) — The Vatican warned Friday that it has nearly depleted its financial reserves from past donations to cover budget deficits over recent years, as it urged continued giving from the faithful to keep the Holy See afloat and Pope Francis’ ministry going.
Help is on the way –look — funding, by whom?
https://www.ncregister.com/news/vatican-conference-to-focus-on-mind-body-soul-connection-to-health-care
Not to worry —The global elites will take up the slack.
This is an absolute disgrace. Active proponents of abortion are speaking at the Vatican HEALTH conference? This is so messed up. Bring on the second coming to rid us of these hypocrites.
“The Vatican conference’s website lists more than 100 speakers including Kerry Kennedy, Cindy Crawford, John Sculley, Brandon Marshall, Joe Perry of Aerosmith…”
Whaaa? What about RuPaul? The Khardasians? Sharon Osbourne? Usher?
And when will that new reality show about the pope be airing?
Suggested title:
“Popin’ Out!”
And I wonder…. Does watching an hour of TMZ now satisfy my Sunday obligation?
I mean, really. I’m not sure whether to laugh or convert to Mormonism.
Brilliant, bro! Got a great laugh out of that, brineyman.
And now back to weeping for the Church.
You’re so right. This is a joke! And they wonder why numbers of folks going to mass is declining.
Jesus said the gates of hell will never prevail against my church. The only way that’s going to happen is for us to stay in the church and support making changes to it, as we pray for the souls of those, in the church, who are being misled by satan. Anyone who leaves the Catholic church is not only leaving Jesus and the church he founded but they’re also siding with satan and his efforts to get us out!
Laugh and stay tuned to the True Church which belongs to Christ, not to the henchmen who think they are running the True Church. What these men think is not as Christ would.
Covert to Mormonism! Why fight the likelihood that Christ visited Central America? Tom S
They fit well in the long line of Vatican guests during this rotten papacy: Jeffrey Sachs, Bernie Sanders, Bono, George Clooney, James Martin, Rothchilds, the NBA ambassadors and various other celebrity degenerates, international banksters, Communist thugs, New World Order political hacks and population control maniacs. Whenever, God willing, this gang of perverts, swindlers and Marxist ideologues occupying the Eternal City departs or is driven off, all the Vatican grounds are going to have to be exorcised.
Utterly shameful, and even degenerate…
Where is Cardinal Sarah when you need him?
Chelsea Clinton can speak on healthcare as authoritatively as Francis does on “climate change” or any one of the many other topics that preoccupy his mind.
And Clown Shows like this are but one of the reason that the donations for Peter’s Pence have dried up.
Couldn’t get more Left than this Conference. Do they think we won’t notice? Is this how we got vaccines started from aborted baby cells? Should have been paying more attention in past years…
Vaccine I trust in thee! When Our Lady of Fatima addressed the children in 1917 Our Lady knew Jacinta and Francesco would soon die of the Coronavirus Spanish Flu. There is only one thing to fear, Hell.
Once again, where are the bishops in the United States, and for that matter elsewhere, to oppose and condemn this travesty? The silence of the hirelings is deafening.
Has anyone noticed that the first 10 comments about this “Vatican Health Conference” are ALL negative! What is going on in Rome? It’s really getting to be just a big joke! Nothing done, nothing accomplished, and rumors flying faster than Joe Biden’s memory!
We need a leader!
Even the “signature” artwork insults God, His Divinity and Holy Creation, but that the Vatican is associated with this Neo Tower of Babel sickens the body, depresses the mind and disorients the soul. Most certainly there is not any “health care” associated with these speakers. So, it is urgent that faithful Catholics raise their voices and witness to the innocent and ignorant that the spirit of the antiChrist threatens even the portals of Heaven. Please Father scatter the liars. Come Lord Jesus Christ and confound foolish and evil imbued women and men. Descend Holy Spirit and Inspire your loyal sons and daughters to counter with Truth, leaving no doubt that man cannot rectify what God does not recognize.
Why is Joe Perry speaking at this?
My thoughts as well. And when did Chelsea Clinton become a health or religious/spiritual expert?
I refer to my original question – “This is a joke, right?”
What about all the nuns who staffed the hospitals for free long before Medicare and Medicaid ran up our federal deficit? Will any of their insight and sacrifice be included in this conference?
Teaching Catholics how to be less Catholic….. Then all will receive Communion at the end of the conference…..
Please do not give up on the Catholic Church. In today’s reading from Acts chapter 5:34-42 we are reminded that anything that comes from God will not be destroyed. Yes we will go through times of corruption and become disillusioned, but we are asked to stay faithful and trust in the Lord.
I stand by her Monica, even in these times of seeming confusion.
Abandon the Titanic. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Jesus came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father except through Him. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; not of works lest any man should boast. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Folks, Jesus is the Answer! Flee to Him in these troubled and confusing times. He is coming soon for His children. Trust in the Lord within thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. God loves you… John 3:16!
This is a sham and the Catholic Church is doing great harm to those who happen to believe it is the one true church. These speakers are abominable.
All good Catholics need to hear Chelsea Clinton talk about pro-life being unconscionable. Give me a break. Maybe Francis hasn’t heard that the United States government is paying for body parts from aborted babies. When we stand up for life, it should be at all stages and in all arenas — especially in the Vatican. If not there, where?
The ‘out of touch with what’s important’ attitude that permeates this papacy is mind-boggling! Where is the dedication to saving souls that Christ mandated to His disciples? I watched a show last night where a boy of 10 was actually taking care of himself as well as his emotionally dysfunctional mother. I commented to my husband that that scenario is sadly playing out exponentially in society today. It has certainly infected the Church – would the Apostles recognize many who call themselves Bishop today? The majority look more like sheep than shepherds. I pray every day for their wisdom, humility and courage in leading the Church and I remind myself that God’s plan will always triumph – thank God.
My first reaction on reading this article was, “Huh?”. I thought I better hold off in case I’m missing something. I see I should have trusted my first instinct.
What? No Madonna? No Cardi What’s-her-name?
Chelsea Clinton is a strong supporter of abortion. Dr. Fauci is a lapsed catholic who identifies himself as a humanist. No wonder the Catholic church is losing menbers.
My invitation must be lost in the mail – I’m great on the kazoo.
This conference is one more reminder of the fact that it is nearly impossible to write satire these days. The Francis papacy as a prolonged SNL skit is not far-fetched.
Bring back Benedict XVI.
Have they lost their minds?
Chelsea Clinton is qualified to do exactly WHAT which would make her necessary as a speaker at the Vatican??? Being the daughter of a president may indeed get you into Ivory league Colleges, but still qualifies you as nothing special. It does seem like the Church is more worried about the opinion of the world than the souls of its flock.Why are churches in the US still semi-shut with no choirs singing, etc?? Maybe the Pope should ask Fauci when, IF EVER, we can drop the farce with the masks. Especially for those who have been vaccinated.Or is this just an attempt to de-humanize the entire population??
I wonder if the Pope will invite the “feel good” giant rabbit at Biden’s secular Easter greeting as well. Or maybe he has a new special mascot for the event – Vati-Vacci the giant syringe.
These are times that I question my religion, but maintain my faith.
I question the quality of the institutional leadership. They may have been ordained to minister the Holy Mysteries, but their competence to teach or lead is questionable.
Is it possible that the Vatican is arranging this as a way of evangelical outreach to those who do not yet know Christ? Someone else previously noted Jesus was known to eat with sinners, and we are all sinners, correct?
I don’t think anyone is, in principle, opposed to hearing from non-Catholic experts on certain topics. But, as other folks have noted, Ms. Clinton not only has no demonstrated expertise in, well, anything, she is staunchly pro-abortion. Yes, Jesus ate with the sinners; it’s nowhere indicated, however, that he took directives or advise from said sinners, especially on matters of morality and anthropology.
This is not a tent revival.
Just another move to determine who is important enough to spend health dollars on and who can be left to their own care
That was my second thought Jan when I read of this last week.
The end is near if such travesty is operating at the Vatican. This corruption has been operable for years and is getting worse. It’s part of the demonic “Great Reset”. Pope Francis is either a naive puppet of the devil or the anti-Christ himself.Christ knows all. Jesus I trust in you.
Given the choice I would vote that he is a naive puppet of the devil, though this gives him too much credit. He is certainly NOT a candidate for the anti-Christ, who, though filled with lies and desecration, will be orders of magnitude smarter than Bergoglio, and much, much more seductive.
Hopefully your editors did not learn their skills from the likes of the CEO’s of Facebook, Twitter, etc.. I agree, obscene language is not acceptable.
What do I need to moderate?
Chelsea clinton??? What has she ever done to speak to an audience? Cindy Crawford??? She is so wealthy she sells her cosmetics on TV by subscription.
Who ever picked some of these people? They should be fired. Wait…are our donations going towards paying these people?
aaaaaaa-yes
Pope Francis is a socialist whose main aim is for a one world government. Most of the people on this list do not seem to know much about health.
What exactly does the Vatican think it is going to learn from Chelsea Clinton or Cindy Crawford about health? What nonsense. Where are they getting the money to pay for this. Talk about light weight speakers! Couldn’t they afford faithful serious speakers? Probably they tried to get some but the invitation was rejected. It seems no faithful serious Catholic with gravitas wants to speak at the Vatican these days. Instead of putting on this one pony show the Vatican would do better to deal with the heretic bishops of Germany if they want to attract top notch speakers on anything. I have been praying for the few good bishops and laity in Germany. They must be really suffering right now.
This scathing reaction is worth reading in its entirety:
Vatican Invites Abortion Advocate Chelsea Clinton To Talk About ‘Health’ And The ‘Soul’
by Evita Duffy
April 16, 2021
Excerpt:
The conference will take place May 6-8, and “will be moderated by renowned journalists, who will explore the role of religion, faith and spirituality, and the interplay of the mind, body, and soul – and, ultimately, search for areas of convergence between the humanities and the natural sciences.”
The “renowned” journalists include Katie Couric, Richard Lui, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Amy Robach, Robin Roberts, and Meredith Vieira.
“Together we will focus on advances in medical innovation and the creation of healthier communities and seek to catalyze new, interdisciplinary approaches and partnerships to improve health and wellbeing, as well as understand human uniqueness,” the Vatican said.
The Vatican invites Satan’s helpers inside. Somehow I think Satan has been inside the Vatican for a while now. Do you think you will discuss abortions? Way more deaths to abortion than anything you can choose to discuss. I have recently left the church AGAIN after giving it another shot. My family included. I will find God elsewhere. He doesn’t reside in the Catholic Church anymore.
Mike. Christ’s Mystical Body from the Crucifixion on Golgotha to present day is Crucified. If Satan’s helpers obscure Christ’s presence you’ll find Him hidden in the Eucharist.
As always Father, forever and shall be.
Mike, don’t leave Jesus because His followers are wicked. He warned us that the enemy would sew weeds amongst the wheat, that there would be hirelings who do not care for the sheep. Study Church history. There have always been wicked priests and bishops and popes. Saints from the early centuries have said the road to hell is paved with the skulls of priests and bishops but the Church is still standing because there are still saints. Satan keeps trying to destroy the Church and he does it from the inside. Jesus told us that the way to heaven is hard and narrow and few find it. If the traitors in the Church upset you remember that even Jesus had his Judas.
Yes indeed Ruth. As I often say, Ordained by God, yet ruled by man.
My first reaction, I was very disturbed that such an assemblage was invited, my second was reason, that perhaps it was to save souls. Yet for many of those individuals, they have gleefully given their souls to Satan. How does one sway against such evil?
Reading about this health conference is breaking my heart. The poster seems to denigrate God the father and the mystery of creation. The supernatural truths of our church and the sanctity of life are disappearing from the Mystical Body of Christ… I’m very very unhappy about this. The whole thing should be cancelled.
As our Shepherds, the so-called leaders should know that the lay people are praying for them but we do not feel that we are being Well tended.
Every follower of the one holy apostolic church should be PROTESTING clearly.
I would imagine that the church wants to be more inclusive, which is fine with me. What if find more interesting is who was NOT invited to the conference, such as Catholic Hospital Directors from the USA who do not observe the Catholic Social Teachings, instead putting capitalism ahead of the health of their patients and, indeed, ahead of church teachings.
Somehow I missed this epic event last year, but I needed a good laugh today, so thanks for running it again.
Yuk Yuk