Workers sanitize St. Peter's Basilica May 15 in preparation for the resumption of public ceremonies.
Workers sanitize St. Peter's Basilica May 15 in preparation for the resumption of public ceremonies. (photo: Vatican Media/CNA)

Churches Preparing for Next Phase (May 23)

Churches are re-opening across the country, but some of them are in defiance of their own state governors, and the U.S. Justice Department Office of Civil Rights is weighing in. Meanwhile, in Europe, similar battles are under way over when and how the faithful can return safely to Mass and the sacraments. This week on Register Radio we catch up on all of the COVID-19 developments. Plus, we look at other news that may have been missed in the midst of the pandemic.

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne attends a German Synodal Way assembly on March 9, 2023.

Four German Bishops Resist Push to Install Permanent ‘Synodal Council’

Given the Vatican’s repeated interventions against the German process, the bishops said they would instead look to the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Meanwhile, on Monday, German diocesan bishops approved the statutes for a synodal committee; and there are reports that the synodal committee will meet again in June.

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis