BERLIN( Reuters)-The Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, has offered his

. That report cleared Cologne’s archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, of wrongdoing.... But Woelki

Pope Francis has refused to accept the resignation of the archbishop of Hamburg after a report accused him of mishandling sexual abuse allegations in his previous diocese earlier this year. Stefan Hesse has held the position of Hamburg’s archbishop since 2015, but the report referred to one of his previous senior roles in the Cologne archdiocese. Hesse offered to step down in March, stating that he had made “ mistakes ” in the past.... He said he very much regretted if he caused new suffering t

And it stresses that blessings in question must not be tied to any specific Catholic celebration or religious service and should not be conferred at the same time as a civil union ceremony.... “ It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered, ” it said.It stressed that people in “ irregular ” unions of extramarital sex — gay or straight — are in a state of sin.... But it said that shouldn’t deprive them of God’s love or mercy....

Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia’s war in Ukraine.... The result was a nearly 500-page report released in February — similar to audits elsewhere in Europe and the Americas — that determined at least 4, 815 children had been abused since 1950.... The bishops commended “ this difficult and dramatic work ” and expressed hope that it “ marks a new beginning.” Maryland AG releases report on alleged Catholic clergy sex abuseCritics say that commitment was mostly for show....