Synod members begin small-group discussions on ‘synodality’ October 5, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The 364 members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops and the 85 experts, facilitators and ecumenical delegates accompanying them began their work in earnest Oct. 5, meeting, sharing and praying in small groups.
Synod begins work with focus on Holy Spirit and listening October 4, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Pope Francis opened the work of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops asking members to meditate on ancient theological texts about the Holy Spirit, have the courage to be honest about their disagreements and focus much more on listening than on sharing their opinions.
For synod, questions around women’s diaconate run right through the priesthood October 4, 2023By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News As the Synod on Synodality opened Oct. 4 in Rome, among the most closely watched topics under discussion is the question of whether the Catholic Church can or will extend the permanent diaconate — restored after the Second Vatican Council — to women.
Pope, in document on climate crisis, criticizes science ‘deniers’ October 4, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, Vatican, World News After warning the world against ignoring the cries of the earth and the poor with his 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis intensified his critique with “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”), warning against the selfish obsession with human power and the “irresponsible derision” of the reality of climate change.
Pope addresses fears around synod: ‘Not a political gathering’ October 4, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops are not gathered in Rome to implement a “plan of reformation” but to walk together as a church that discerns God’s will for the present moment, Pope Francis said at the assembly’s opening Mass.
Pope gives Curia assignments to new cardinals October 4, 2023By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Four days after creating new cardinals, Pope Francis gave an extra job or two to the 18 prelates who are under the retirement age of 80.
Synod is called to understand authority, recognize truth, preacher says October 3, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Competing notions of authority and giving certain Christian truths preeminence over others can not only derail the assembly of the Synod of Bishops but, worse, cripple the church’s ability to share Christ with the world, Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe told synod members.
Be tender, close to the poor, pope asks religious October 3, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Sharing the Gospel message requires closeness and tenderness, especially toward people most in need, Pope Francis said in separate meetings with a religious order of women and an order of men holding their general chapters in Rome.
Participants in Synod on Synodality say they seek ‘new vision’ for church from assembly October 3, 2023By Jonathan Luxmoore OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News As Catholic delegates arrived in Rome from across the globe for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality Oct. 4-29 and continued their retreat ahead of the assembly, hopes were high that the upcoming discussions will set the church on a secure path for the future, despite today’s multiple competing perspectives and priorities.
Pope responds to cardinals on blessings for homosexuals, female priests October 2, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church, in pursuit of “pastoral prudence,” should discern if there are ways of giving blessings to homosexual persons that do not alter the church’s teaching on marriage, Pope Francis said.
Be sincere with God even when saying ‘no,’ pope says October 2, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Rather than hide behind a façade of faithfulness, Christians should be sincere with God even when telling him “no,” Pope Francis said.
Pope writes to children about mission, invites them to Vatican in November October 2, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Peering just over the windowsill of Pope Francis’ studio above St. Peter’s Square, five children aged 7-10 joined the pope to announce a special gathering of children at the Vatican in November.
