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Bishop Franz-Josef Bode

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of the Diocese of Osnabrück served as vice president of the German bishops' conference from 2017 to 2023. | Courtesy of Synodaler Weg/Maximilian von Lachner

Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Vice President of German Bishops’ Conference

Mar 25, 2023

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of a German bishop on Saturday who played a key role in the German Synodal Way and had come under pressure over his handling of clerical sexual abuse in his diocese. 

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode speaks during a press conference on Sept. 22, 2022, following the release of a report that said he mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany, which he has led since 1995. | Screenshot of YouTube video

German Bishop Must Face Vatican Investigation, Abuse Council Demands

Dec 12, 2022

An advisory body of sexual abuse survivors on Monday called for canonical procedures against the vice president of the German Bishops’ Conference.

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Fr. John Mathiang (left) and Bishop Christian Carlassare (right). Credit: Ginaba Lino/Juba/South Sudanm Catholic Diocese of Rumbek

Vatican Issued Interdict, Suspension against Fr. Mathiang Last May: Bishops on Acquitted South Sudanese Catholic Priest

Catholic Bishops in Chad. Credit: CET

“Do everything possible” for Success of Presidential Polls: Catholic Bishops in Chad to Government

Today, April 16, We Celebrate St. Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes

South Sudanese teturnees receiving food relief in Abiemnhom, near the border with war-torn Sudan in March 2024. Credit: Sr. Elena Balatti

Yearlong Sudan Civil War “evokes terrible memories” for Comboni Missionary Sister Receiving Returnees in South Sudan

Fr. Marcel Uwineza. Credit: Sr. Olga Massango

Stories of Rwandan Women “scarred by genocide” Must Be Told: Jesuit Priest on 30th Anniversary of Mass Killing

Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Credit: CAN

10 Years On, “intensify efforts” to Free Remaining Chibok Girls: Nigeria’s Christian Leaders to Government

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Chancery of DR Congo’s Kinshasa Archdiocese Decries Sunday “degrading treatment” Cardinal Ambongo Suffered at Airport

Fr. Marcel Uwineza. Credit: Sr. Olga Massango

Stories of Rwandan Women “scarred by genocide” Must Be Told: Jesuit Priest on 30th Anniversary of Mass Killing

South Sudanese teturnees receiving food relief in Abiemnhom, near the border with war-torn Sudan in March 2024. Credit: Sr. Elena Balatti

Yearlong Sudan Civil War “evokes terrible memories” for Comboni Missionary Sister Receiving Returnees in South Sudan

Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). Credit: KCCB

Increase of Missionaries’ Work Permit Charges “absolutely unethical”: Kenya’s Catholic Bishops

Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Credit: CAN

10 Years On, “intensify efforts” to Free Remaining Chibok Girls: Nigeria’s Christian Leaders to Government

Fr. John Mathiang (left) and Bishop Christian Carlassare (right). Credit: Ginaba Lino/Juba/South Sudanm Catholic Diocese of Rumbek

Vatican Issued Interdict, Suspension against Fr. Mathiang Last May: Bishops on Acquitted South Sudanese Catholic Priest

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican after the recitation of the Regina Caeli prayer on April 14, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Sharing Our Cncounter with Christ Makes Our Encounters "even more beautiful"

Mons. Martin Banga Ayanyaki, apointed for the Catholic Diocese of Buta in DR Congo on 15 April 2024. Credit: Jean-Baptiste Malenge

Augustinian Regional Vicar in DR Congo Appointed Bishop for Buta Diocese

A poster announcing the launch of a charcoal briquette making factory in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja

We’re Here “to create a better environment”: Nigerian Archbishop at Launch of Charcoal Briquette Production Initiative

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni Church, an Indian-Mughal style Catholic church in Medan, Indonesia. / Credit: MarlonH/Shutterstock

Pope Francis’ Indonesia Visit to "strengthen message of tolerance, unity, and world peace": Government Official

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