Thomas Edwards
Editor of Advaticanum
Articles by Thomas Edwards
Attacks on Christians in Nigeria on the rise again
Reports from Nigeria indicate that attacks on Christian communities are once again increasing. At least 121 people were reportedly killed in Plateau State between May and 11 July, while further attacks in Plateau and Benue states have been reported in recent days
Jul. 21, 2026 · Outside the Walls
The tale of two JD Vances
Vice President JD Vance’s interview with Bishop Robert Barron is a study in contrasts. The Catholic convert who speaks thoughtfully about Augustine, René Girard and the spiritual life sits uneasily alongside the Vice President who defends the policies and politics of the Trump administration
Jul. 20, 2026 · Culture
Fr Joachim Heimerl says Vienna Archbishop has imposed a “publication ban”
Fr Joachim Heimerl says Archbishop Josef Grünwidl of Vienna has imposed a “publication ban” on him under threat of suspension. In an interview with Stilum Curiae, the Austrian priest discusses the dispute, his understanding of priestly obedience, and why he believes the measure has no legal basis
Jul. 17, 2026 · Outside the Walls
“The process has to be stopped” Cardinal Burke on synodality
In an interview with The College of Cardinals Report, Cardinal Raymond Burke calls for the Synod on Synodality to be stopped and completely reoriented. He also comments on Study Group 9, the SSPX and the future of the Traditional Latin Mass
Jul. 16, 2026 · The Vatican
The Palmarian Church’s response to the SSPX and the story behind it
The Palmarian Church has responded to the SSPX excommunications by insisting that the true Catholic Church is not in Rome, but in El Palmar de Troya. Our latest explores the extraordinary history behind one of Catholicism’s most unusual schisms
Jul. 15, 2026 · Culture
Government-funded drag group ordered to stop events at former Catholic church
A government-funded drag group has been ordered to stop events at a former Catholic church in Sydney after landlords said performances had mocked the religious beliefs of millions of Christians. The venue had received a $100,000 grant from Create NSW
Jul. 15, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Trump says he is defending Christians. So why is he embracing Pakistan?
The Trump administration has repeatedly pledged to defend persecuted Christians around the world. Yet Washington continues to strengthen its relationship with Pakistan, one of the world’s worst countries in which to be a Christian
Jul. 11, 2026 · Culture
Former Nigerian bishops’ conference president Archbishop Augustine Akubueze dies aged 69
Archbishop Augustine Akubueze, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Benin City, has died aged 69. He led the Nigerian bishops during some of the country’s most challenging years as violence against Christians intensified and was widely credited with strengthening two of Nigeria’s most vibrant dioceses
Jul. 10, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Bishop of Oslo offers more Traditional Latin Masses after SSPX excommunications
Following the excommunications of the SSPX bishops, Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo has appealed to Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass to remain in communion with Rome. He also said he is willing to expand provision for the 1962 Missal in the Diocese of Oslo
Jul. 6, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Vatican releases reconciliation procedure for SSPX priests and faithful
After declaring the SSPX bishops excommunicated, the Vatican has published a document outlining how priests and certain lay faithful associated with the Society can be reconciled with the Catholic Church
Jul. 2, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Vatican declares SSPX bishops excommunicated after Écône consecrations
The Vatican has declared that the bishops consecrated by the Society of Saint Pius X in Écône, together with Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, have incurred latae sententiae excommunication following Wednesday’s episcopal consecrations. The decree also warns clergy and lay faithful against adhering to what it describes as the SSPX’s schism and outlines the canonical consequences for those who do so.
Jul. 2, 2026 · Outside the Walls
SSPX consecrate Bishops without Papal mandate
Without papal mandate, the Society of Saint Pius X has consecrated four new bishops in Écône
Jul. 1, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Sister Smerilli appointed prefect of Dicastery for Integral Human Development
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, making her the second woman to lead a Roman Curia dicastery. We examine her background, her rise through the Curia, and the wider development of women’s leadership in the Vatican over the past two decades
Jun. 30, 2026 · The Vatican
Bishop Strickland gives another reflection on the SSPX
In a new reflection on the Society of St. Pius X, Bishop Joseph Strickland examines the legacy of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
Jun. 26, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Florida bishops appeal to DeSantis to halt execution of Edward James Spencer
Florida’s Catholic bishops have appealed to Gov. Ron DeSantis to halt the execution of Edward James Spencer
Jun. 25, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Cardinal Ernest Simoni climbs Medjugorje’s Apparition Hill on eve of 44th anniversary
Cardinal Ernest Simoni climbed Medjugorje’s Apparition Hill while praying the Rosary on the eve of the 44th anniversary of the first reported apparitions. The 97-year-old Albanian cardinal, described by Pope Francis as a “living martyr”, was assisted up the hill as pilgrims gathered at the Bosnian shrine
Jun. 25, 2026 · Outside the Walls
German Synodal Way supporters vow to keep pushing for lay preaching at Mass after Vatican rejection
Supporters of Germany’s Synodal Way have vowed to keep pressing for lay people to preach the homily during Mass after the Vatican again rejected the proposal
Jun. 24, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Another “influencer priest” leaves the priesthood
Fr Damián María Montes, a Spanish Redemptorist priest, has announced that he will no longer exercise his priestly ministry. A well-known figure across Spain, Fr Damián came to prominence through his participation in the third series of La Voz in 2015, where he reached the quarter-finals. During the programme, he performed secular songs including “Angels” […]
Jun. 24, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Spanish Catholics filmed committing sacrilege at wedding Mass
A video filmed at a wedding Mass in Spain has gone viral after appearing to show a group mocking the liturgy and the Eucharist
Jun. 23, 2026 · Outside the Walls
A week later: what Pope Leo’s Spain trip tells us
More than 1.5 million people attended Pope Leo XIV’s Corpus Christi Mass in Madrid. Yet the lasting significance of the trip may lie in what it revealed about Spain’s culture, politics and religious identity
Jun. 20, 2026 · Culture
Father João Silveira denied permission to celebrate Mass in Ávila
Father João Silveira was denied permission to celebrate Holy Mass in Ávila after diocesan officials told him the local bishop had said: “That Mass is prohibited in this diocese”
Jun. 18, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Jesuit priest apologises for celebrating Mass before Rupnik mosaic
A newly ordained Jesuit priest has publicly apologised after celebrating Mass in front of a mosaic by Marko Rupnik, saying he felt “deeply embarrassed” and questioning the continued silence surrounding the disgraced former Jesuit’s abuse allegations
Jun. 17, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo strengthens safeguarding commission with new Vatican statute
Pope Leo XIV has approved a new statute for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, strengthening the Vatican body’s role in promoting safeguarding standards across the Church. The revised statute, approved ad experimentum for three years, was promulgated through a rescript signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, following an […]
Jun. 16, 2026 · The Vatican
In pictures: Pope Leo XIV’s fourth day in Spain
Pope Leo XIV’s fourth day in Spain included a visit to Brians 1 prison, prayers at Montserrat Abbey, a meeting with Catholic charities and a Mass at Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, where he blessed the newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ. Here are the images from a day
Jun. 11, 2026
In pictures: Pope Leo XIV’s first day in Barcelona
Pope Leo XIV’s first day in Barcelona saw prayer at the city’s cathedral, an appeal for unity and a youth vigil attended by more than 40,000 people. See the day in pictures
Jun. 10, 2026
In pictures: Pope Leo XIV’s third day in Madrid
Pope Leo XIV’s third day in Madrid saw him address the Spanish Parliament, meet the country’s bishops, present the Golden Rose to Our Lady of Almudena and join more than 70,000 Catholics at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Here are the images from a day that combined politics, prayer, Marian devotion and a celebration of the Church in Spain
Jun. 9, 2026 · Outside the Walls
The biggest loser from Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Madrid: Pedro Sánchez
Madrid delivered vast crowds, Spanish flags, a packed Bernabéu and one of Europe’s largest Catholic gatherings outside World Youth Day. For Pedro Sánchez, Pope Leo XIV’s visit may have been a reminder that the Spain he opposes remains very much alive
Jun. 9, 2026 · Culture
Day two of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain sees one of Europe’s largest Catholic gatherings outside World Youth Day
An estimated 1.5 million people gathered in Madrid for Pope Leo XIV’s Corpus Christi Mass and procession on the second day of his apostolic visit to Spain. The crowd surpassed that of Saint John Paul II’s 2003 visit to Madrid and ranks among the largest Catholic gatherings in Europe outside World Youth Day
Jun. 8, 2026 · Outside the Walls
In pictures: Pope Leo XIV’s second day in Spain
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Corpus Christi before 1.2 million faithful in Madrid, led a Eucharistic procession through streets lined with 30,000 carnations, and met representatives of Spanish civil society. Here is day two of the Holy Father’s apostolic visit to Spain in pictures
Jun. 7, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo XIV’s first day in Spain in pictures
Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Spain for his first apostolic to the country. Our photo gallery captures the Holy Father’s arrival in Madrid, his meeting with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the official welcome at the Royal Palace, and the opening moments of a visit focused on evangelisation, youth and the Church’s charitable mission
Jun. 6, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Inside the popemobiles for Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Spain
As Pope Leo XIV begins his apostolic journey to Spain, AdVaticanum can reveal details of the vehicles that will accompany him across Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands during the six-day visit. The Pope will travel in two popemobiles brought from Rome and three specially adapted electric vehicles designed to allow closer contact with the […]
Jun. 5, 2026 · Outside the Walls
‘Our Lady of Christendom’: UK establishes a ‘sibling’ pilgrimage to Chartres
More than 20,000 pilgrims walked from Paris to Chartres this Pentecost. Now the UK has launched its own version. Inspired by the famous Chartres pilgrimage, Our Lady of Christendom will lead pilgrims from Oxford to Evesham Abbey, the site of the first recorded apparition of Our Lady in England
Jun. 5, 2026 · Culture
Monsignor Nazir-Ali: Henry Nowak case shows Britain has lost its moral compass
Monsignor Michael Nazir-Ali has told AdVaticanum that the murder of Henry Nowak and the police response point to a wider “loss of a moral compass in society”, warning against political correctness, rule-book policing and the abandonment of conscience
Jun. 4, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Walking to Chartres: the revival of Catholic France
France has seen a surge in adult baptisms. At the same time, more than 20,000 pilgrims completed the three-day pilgrimage to Chartres, the flagship event of the Traditional Latin Mass movement in France. This is the story behind its remarkable growth
Jun. 3, 2026 · Culture
Dom Alcuin Reid calls for month of prayer for the unity of the Church as SSPX consecrations approach
Dom Alcuin Reid, prior of the Monastère Saint-Benoît in France, has called on Catholics to make June a month of prayer and fasting for the unity of the Church ahead of the SSPX’s planned episcopal consecrations on 1 July. He has urged prayers for Pope Leo XIV, his advisers and the Society of St Pius X
Jun. 1, 2026 · Outside the Walls
‘Chartres is the hope of Europe’: interview with Father Antonius Maria Mamsery
In an exclusive interview with AdVaticanum, Father Antonius Maria Mamsery, Superior General of the Missionaries of the Holy Cross, describes the Chartres pilgrimage as the “hope of Europe” and speaks about the revival of the Traditional Latin Mass, Africa’s growing vocations, and the future of the Church in Europe
May 26, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Maronite hermit Father Dario Escobar dies aged 92
Father Dario Escobar, the Colombian-born Maronite hermit reported to have spent 14 hours a day in prayer in Lebanon’s Qadisha Valley, has died aged 92
May 21, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Inside Introíbo: the free Latin Mass app turning phones into missals
A new app designed to help Catholics navigate the Traditional Latin Mass has been downloaded thousands of times within days of launch. Built by convert Holden Cole, Introíbo includes the full 1962 Missal, Divine Office, rosary, traditional calendar and more, all completely free and available offline
May 20, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Vatican confirms release date, title and theme of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical
The Vatican has confirmed the release date, title and theme of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical
May 18, 2026 · The Vatican
‘This is not synodal’: Bishop Schneider on possible SSPX excommunications
Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana in Kazakhstan, has said that excommunicating the SSPX would be “not synodal” and warned that, if the Pope were to excommunicate the Society, “this will go down in history as a huge error of rigidity”. Speaking to EWTN’s The World Over with Raymond Arroyo, the 65 year old […]
May 16, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical now expected later this month
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, expected to address artificial intelligence, international peace and the crisis in international law, is now expected later this month after the Holy See Press Office indicated an announcement regarding the document will be made on May 22
May 15, 2026 · The Vatican
Phoenix auxiliary bishop attacks anti-synodality book backed by Cardinal Müller
Bishop Peter Dai Bui of Phoenix has sharply criticised The Trojan Horse in the Catholic Church, a book backed by Cardinal Gerhard Müller which argues that the Synod on Synodality seeks to undermine the Church’s hierarchical structure
May 14, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Cardinal Burke to celebrate closing Pontifical High Mass of Chartres pilgrimage
Cardinal Raymond Burke will celebrate the closing Pontifical High Mass of this year’s Chartres pilgrimage as more than 20,000 pilgrims prepare to walk from Paris to Chartres
May 13, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Nigerian archdiocese orders week of reparation after Blessed Sacrament stolen
The Archdiocese of Owerri has declared a week of prayer and reparation after thieves broke into an adoration chapel through the roof and stole a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament
May 12, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo responds to Trump’s latest attacks as Rubio readies for Rome
Pope Leo XIV has responded directly to Donald Trump’s criticism, stating that “there is no doubt” about the Church’s opposition to nuclear weapons
May 7, 2026 · The Vatican
Britain’s foremost exorcist
Fr Jeremy Davies, a former doctor who became a priest, spent 35 years as an exorcist, carrying out his ministry with quiet discipline, intellectual conviction and pastoral care
May 4, 2026 · Catechesis
Minnesota diocese plans ‘drastic reduction’ of parishes in response to clergy shortage
The Diocese of St Cloud plans to cut its parishes from 131 to 48, with many losing Sunday Mass, as clergy shortages and falling practice force a major restructuring across central Minnesota
May 1, 2026 · Outside the Walls
The quiet rise of Generation X within the Church hierarchy
A younger group of cardinals, drawn from Generation X, is emerging within the College. These prelates are already stepping into positions of influence
Apr. 30, 2026 · Culture
Fellay warns of SSPX faithful excommunication as Rome prepares its response to episcopal consecrations
Bishop Bernard Fellay has warned that the faithful may face excommunication, as indications from Rome suggest a response is being prepared to possible episcopal consecrations without papal mandate
Apr. 26, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo concludes 11 day Africa visit with Holy Mass in Malabo
Pope Leo has brought his first African journey to a close with a final Mass in Malabo, ending an 11 day visit across Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea
Apr. 24, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Brazilian bishop says young Catholics drawn to tradition have a place in the Church
A Brazilian bishop has said young Catholics drawn to traditional practices such as kneeling for Communion and wearing veils have a legitimate place in the Church, describing such expressions as part of Catholicism’s natural diversity rather than a rupture.
Apr. 23, 2026 · Outside the Walls
England forgot how to celebrate St. George
From medieval processions, feasts and liturgical splendour to a single tweet from Downing Street, St George’s Day has been reduced to a shadow of its former self. England once honoured its patron with seriousness and scale
Apr. 23, 2026 · Catechesis