Synod guest shares how process reduces anger, builds community October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Luca Casarini, a longtime and well-known Italian activist, is a special guest at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops; he’s encouraged to speak, but has no vote. And he said he is learning a lot.
Pope condemns terrorism, expresses concern for civilians October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel and pleaded with the militants to free their hostages unharmed, but he also expressed concern about Israel’s tightening siege on Gaza and its impact on innocent civilians.
Love, forgiveness liberate, break cycles of violence, pope says October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, Vatican, World News The life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave from Sudan who became a nun, demonstrates how love liberates people from oppression and frees them to forgive their oppressors and break cycles of hatred and violence, Pope Francis said.
Synod focus on welcoming is what Jesus would do, synod member says October 10, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Finding better ways to live “like Jesus did” — reaching out, welcoming, healing and including others — was the focus of Sister Liliana Franco Echeverri’s small group discussions Oct. 9-10 at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops, she said.
War defeats human dignity, avoids finding solution, Vatican cardinal says October 10, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Terrorism, violence, barbarism and extremism undermine the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.
Mary shows Christians they are all brothers, sisters, pope says October 9, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Mary is not only an “advocate,” helping Christians in need, she also is a “facilitator,” who helps them recognize that as her children, they are all brothers and sisters, Pope Francis said.
Synod call to communion can help a fractured world, theologian says October 9, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church is called to be an instrument of communion with God and unity among all people, but it requires grace and “learning to ‘bear with’ reality, gently, generously, lovingly and courageously for the peace and salvation of the whole world,” a theologian told the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
Pope names first woman secretary of dicastery for religious October 9, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Consolata Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla will be secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican announced Oct. 7.
‘Laudate Deum’: Planet mirrors a deeply flawed view of human life and activity October 8, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis warns the clock is ticking on the dangers of climate change — and both a paradigm shift and practical action are critically needed to avert looming disasters in nature and human society.
In book given at synod, Pope warns against idolatry camouflaged as sacred October 6, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Christian life is a battle each person must fight against the temptation to be self-sufficient and against a paganism disguised as sacredness, Pope Francis said in an introduction to a small book distributed to participants at the synod on synodality.
Synod participants discuss formation, building a welcoming church October 6, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The formation of seminarians, the Catholic Church as a welcoming home for all, migration and ecumenism arose as common themes of discussion among participants of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 6, the Vatican said.
Synodal silence: Pope says church must pause, ‘fast’ from public words October 6, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News For the duration of the assembly Oct. 4-29 all the heads of Vatican dicasteries and hundreds of cardinals, archbishops, bishops, religious superiors, professors, students and parents were scheduled to be away from their homes and their desks.