Gallagher’s mission to Russia marks the Vatican’s diplomacy coming of age. It may need permanent structures to fill the void left by the UN’s weakening. The visit to Moscow by the Secretary for Relations with States, Bishop Paul Richard Gallagher, is a turning point in the history of Vatican diplomacy. Since the start of the […]
Two Catholics in Moscow: A Russian Tale
While Bishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, was holding a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, another Catholic official landed in Moscow: CIA Director John Ratcliffe – who reportedly went to Moscow to warn Russia against support for Iran and activities in Europe. Vatican diplomacy and American […]
Holy See: Diplomatic Mission to Russia
Tomorrow’s meeting between Archbishop P.R. Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov could be crucial to resolving the war between Russia and Ukraine diplomatically. August 24 marks the start of Archbishop P.R. Gallagher’s five-day visit to Russia. Gallagher is the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States […]
United States–Catholic Church: Between Liturgical Battle and Politics
Over the centuries, theological debates and conflicts within the Catholic Church have often had political implications of general interest. The pressure being exerted on Pope Leo to reinstate the option of celebrating the Catholic liturgy according to the rite that preceded that of the Second Vatican Council poses a significant challenge to the Catholic Church’s […]
China-Holy See Relations: Sinicization and Long Term Results
On July 22, the Holy See announced the episcopal ordination of Giuseppe Chang Yanfeng as the bishop of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China. Although others were expected, appointments related to the agreement with China continue, albeit at a snail’s pace. Last March, the two delegations met in Beijing in a cordial atmosphere, which contrasted with the […]
U.S. Catholicism in the Vise of the Lefebvrian Schism
American conservative Catholics could help steer the presidency away from the losing battle of the “culture wars” and toward a pragmatic and substantial Trump’s political revolution. Following the episcopal ordinations performed by the Lefebvrian Society of St. Pius X, the Holy issued a decree of excommunication formalizing the schism. Excommunicated are all bishops, priests, and […]
Penultimate Reality
Catholicism and the concrete pursuit of peace how and where to draw the line — is a concrete thorn in the Church, evidence of the real effort. For years, Catholic theology—and perhaps the Church itself—has faced an unresolvable dilemma when it comes to peace. The more decisive and radical the stance against war, the less […]



