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Pope Francis-Endorsed Rules Permit Gay Priests In Italy, Prompt Mixed Reactions
The Italian Catholic Church, with Vatican approval, has opened its seminaries to gay men under specific conditions, as outlined in newly released guidelines. These guidelines emphasize celibacy and prohibit alignment with what the Church refers to as “gay culture.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Released by the Italian Bishops’ Conference and published online on Thursday, the 68-page document addresses candidates with “homosexual tendencies” who seek admission to seminaries or discover their orientation during training.
While the Church “profoundly respects” individuals, the guidelines state that those practicing homosexuality, exhibiting deeply rooted homosexual tendencies, or supporting “gay culture” cannot be admitted to seminaries or ordained into Holy Orders. However, it advises that a candidate’s personality, emotional maturity, and ability to embrace chastity should be considered holistically.
The Vatican-approved document aligns with Pope Francis’ efforts to foster inclusivity within the Church while upholding traditional doctrines, which continue to describe same-sex acts as “intrinsically disordered.” Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis has adopted a more conciliatory tone on LGBTQ issues, famously saying, “If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
Despite this inclusivity, controversies remain. In June, during a private meeting with Italian bishops, Pope Francis reportedly expressed concerns about gay men in seminaries, using strong language to criticize perceived excessive behavior in training schools.
The new guidelines have sparked diverse reactions. Francis DeBernardo, leader of the U.S.-based Catholic LGBTQ outreach group New Ways Ministry, described them as a “big step forward,” noting their effort to address ambiguities that had previously led to discrimination.
Jesuit priest and LGBTQ advocate James Martin welcomed the recognition that homosexuality alone should not disqualify someone from priestly formation. “If a gay man is able to lead a healthy, chaste, and celibate life, he may be considered,” Martin told AFP.
The changes reflect the Church’s evolving stance on LGBTQ inclusion while maintaining its foundational teachings on celibacy and chastity for clergy.
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Conservative Anglican churches across Africa and Asia have formed a new leadership council to oversee the global Anglican Communion, distancing themselves from the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury just weeks before the incoming leader assumes office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) announced on Thursday that it had created the council as a replacement for what it described as outdated leadership structures. The group says it represents the majority of the world’s 85 million Anglicans spread across 165 countries.
GAFCON elected Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, a former Rwandan refugee who later studied in the United States, as chairman of the newly established council. According to the group, Mbanda’s leadership will be shared collectively rather than operating under the traditional “first among equals” model.
The council’s secretary general, Bishop Paul Donison, told attendees at the conference in Abuja, Nigeria, that the current leadership framework of the Anglican Communion no longer reflects the needs of most Anglicans globally.
“Believing the current instruments of communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure,” Donison said.
Reports indicate that the council will comprise bishops, priests and lay members, with each member granted voting rights.
The development directly challenges Sarah Mullally, who was appointed by the Church of England last October as its first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Mullally is expected to be enthroned as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25.
GAFCON Spokesman Says Group Recognises New Leader
GAFCON is made up largely of conservative Anglican churches from Africa and Asia. The group has consistently opposed what it describes as liberal shifts within parts of the Anglican Communion, including the ordination of women as priests and bishops and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ members.
When asked whether GAFCON still recognises the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the group’s spokesman, Justin Murff, gave a firm response.
“The Global Anglican Council recognises Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as its leader,” Murff said.
Reacting to the development, a spokesperson for the Anglican Communion Office in London expressed concern about the growing division.
“It hurts the body of Christ when some churches express a desire to separate, not associate, or otherwise renounce any association with those with whom they disagree,” the spokesperson said.
Historically, the Church of England itself broke away from the Roman Catholic Church nearly 500 years ago under King Henry VIII. Since then, the Archbishop of Canterbury has served as the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion, which expanded globally through missionary work.
GAFCON, established in 2008, insists it is not leaving the Anglican Communion but rather restructuring it around what it describes as Biblical authority. In October, Mbanda said the group had “not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion.”
During prayers on Thursday, Mbanda also signalled what he described as the beginning of a new chapter for the church.
“The future has arrived, no turning back,” he declared.
Anglican communities in Africa and Asia—regions where the church has seen the fastest growth in recent decades—have increasingly opposed progressive developments they associate with England and other Western nations. Disagreements over women’s ordination and LGBTQ+ inclusion have intensified tensions within the global communion, pushing the church toward what many leaders describe as a critical breaking point.
The Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Benjamin Hundeyin, is expected to step down from his position in Abuja on Friday, March 6, 2026, ending his five-month stint as the spokesperson of the Force.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Sources at the police headquarters told Vanguard that a senior officer has already been selected to take over the role, although the individual’s identity had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
Insiders familiar with the development revealed that Hundeyin had been notified of the decision and had started making arrangements to hand over his duties.
As of around 8 p.m. on Thursday, he was still carrying out his official responsibilities.
An official statement from the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, is expected on Friday.
Hundeyin was appointed Force Public Relations Officer in September 2025 while serving as a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
He took over from Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who had earlier been elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
Prior to his posting to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Hundeyin served as the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, where he attracted nationwide recognition for his active engagement with the media.
Security analysts noted that his period as police spokesperson was characterized by stronger interaction with the public through digital platforms.
His consistent social media presence and regular updates on police operations were widely seen as efforts that improved communication between the police and the public while promoting transparency.
Hundeyin holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Lagos State University and a Master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from University of Ibadan.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the successful resolution of the long-standing dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, following a settlement agreement between the Federal Government, Eni, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The announcement was made during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by Eni’s CEO Claudio Descalzi, COO Guido Brusco, Head of Sub-Saharan Region Mario Bello, Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Exploration Fabrizio Bolondi, and the President’s Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen.
The development was confirmed in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the presidency, the agreement ends a dispute that has lasted over 15 years, restoring stability to one of Nigeria’s most commercially promising deepwater oil blocks. Signed in Abuja, the settlement clears the way for renewed development activities in the offshore block.
Officials noted that the resolution paves the way for the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Zabazaba–Etan deepwater project, which is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s crude oil production. With the dispute settled, the project is projected to add roughly 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the nation’s output.
The Zabazaba–Etan development is also anticipated to strengthen Nigeria’s long-term energy outlook and attract further investment into the oil and gas sector. President Tinubu described the settlement as a strategic milestone in his administration’s economic reform agenda.
“This resolution sends a clear signal to global investors that Nigeria is prepared to address legacy issues transparently, uphold the rule of law, and create a stable environment for long-term capital,” Tinubu said.
Commenting on the agreement, Arowolo-Verheijen noted that the settlement represents a significant improvement over the 2011 resolution, reflecting reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. She emphasized that the revised framework balances investor confidence with enhanced benefits for Nigeria.
“The updated terms provide clarity and predictability for major deepwater investments while ensuring stronger value creation and protections for the Federation,” she added.
The presidency stated that the settlement is part of broader reforms since 2023 aimed at improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market. Anchored in the Petroleum Industry Act and supported by executive actions, these reforms have helped attract renewed investor interest and capital inflows into the oil and gas sector.
“By resolving the OPL 245 dispute, the Federal Government has removed a major legacy risk in Nigeria’s upstream sector and reinforced its commitment to predictable regulation and transparent governance,” Arowolo-Verheijen said.
President Tinubu also commended institutions and stakeholders involved in achieving the settlement, including the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and NNPC Limited.
The presidency highlighted that the resolution demonstrates the administration’s determination to unlock Nigeria’s strategic energy assets and ensure that the country’s natural resources contribute to economic growth, job creation, and long-term prosperity for Nigerians.
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