A ‘chatbot’ can’t replace angels, Bishop Varden tells Pope Leo, Roman Curia

Lenten Retreat: Bishop Varden reflects on 'De consideratione'

Bishop Erik Varden delivers his tenth reflection at the Spiritual Exercises in the Vatican for Pope Leo XIV, Cardinals residing in Rome, and heads of Dicasteries, focusing on the theme of 'On Consideration'. The following is a summary of his reflection. Read all

‘Hidden Glory’: Here are highlights from Bishop Varden’s meditations for papal Lenten retreat

Bishop Varden of Trondheim, a Trappist monk, shared wisdom from contemplative life during the retreat, drawing from the writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

Bishop Varden tells Vatican retreat: Not every fall ends in joy

Bishop Erik Varden warned Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia that corruption within the Church has caused profound harm. Falls can humble people when they are “puffed up,” showing God’s power to save, and [...]

A ‘chatbot’ can’t replace angels, Bishop Varden tells Pope Leo, Roman Curia

LEICESTER, United Kingdom – There is a “prophetic challenge” facing the Church in today’s world with the rise of “digital, artificial” media, according to Bishop Erik Varden, who is conducting the Lenten spiritual retreat at the Vatican. The Norwegian convert is a Trappist monk currently serving as Bishop of Trondheim in his native Norway. Pope Leo XIV chose Varden to lead the retreat, which is taking place in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic…

Bishop Erik Varden urges truth, freedom and purification in Lenten retreat for Pope Leo XIV and Roman Curia - The Dialog

ROME — Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden preached a series of meditations for the first Lenten retreat of Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia, reflecting on the splendor of truth and the Christian idea of freedom, as well as sin, abuse and Church corruption. Bishop Varden of Trondheim, a Trappist monk, shared wisdom from contemplative life during the retreat, drawing from the writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century abbot and doctor of the c…

Church governance begins with holiness, not bureaucracy, Bishop Varden says at Curia retreat

Church governance depends more on holy, prayerful leaders than on bureaucratic expertise, Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim said during the Roman Curia’s Lenten retreat. In his morning meditation Feb. 27, the final day of the retreat, Bishop Varden, a Trappist, reflected on St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s letter to his fellow monk and protege Bernard Paganelli, who later became Pope Eugene III. The 12th-century text, he said, offered lessons …