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[Catholic Caucus] Madrid Replaces Confessionals With “Listening Spaces” for Leo XIV VisitAs Germany pushes female deacons, Albano demands LGBT “recognition,” Tucho maps faith’s collapse, and the Synod drives toward 2028, Madrid supplies the perfect symbol: listening instead of confession.The Sacramental Parable in MadridSometimes the whole revolution appears in one little administrative choice.Hiraeth In Exile is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.SubscribeDuring Leo XIV’s upcoming trip to Spain, confessionals reportedly will not be set up at the youth prayer vigil or at other major events. Instead, organizers plan to provide “listening...

[Catholic Caucus] Controversial Synod study groups delay reporting on findings by 6 monthsAll ten groups had been due to issue their reports by the end of June, but due to the death of Pope Francis and the ensuing conclave they have had a six-month extension.The study groups which emerged from the Synod on Synodality are now set to issue their findings at the end of the year, rather than at the end of June.Following a meeting with Pope Leo XIV last Thursday, officials at the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops have delayed a key development from the multi-year...

[Catholic Caucus] Cardinal Kasper again pushes ‘women deacons’ as ‘helpful pastorally’The much misrepresented 'female deacons' of the early Church were not in fact deacons as understood today, and were certainly not ordained to any ministry.Cardinal Kasper has again promoted female deacons, claiming they are “theologically possible and could be helpful pastorally.”“Personally, I believe that opening the permanent diaconate to women is theologically possible and could be helpful pastorally.” So said Cardinal Walter Kasper in a new interview with Rheinische Post.Kasper, now aged 92, has been one of the most influential prelates in the Church of late, particularly so during the...