Papal tour: Questions on immigration, Communion loom over Pope’s trip to Hungary and Slovakia
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ looks at the itinerary for the Pope’s trip to Hungary and Slovakia…
Essay: Controversy over Communion in the Catholic Church goes back some 2,000 years
MATHEW SCHMALZ, professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross in the US, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation – at the history of Communion within the Catholic Church and when it has been denied to prominent figures…
US Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden
AP US Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights. The decision, vehemently opposed by a minority of bishops, came despite appeals from the Vatican for a more cautious and collegial […]
Heated debate before US Catholic bishops vote on Communion
AP In impassioned debate Thursday, US Catholic bishops clashed over how to address concerns about Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, who continue to receive Communion despite supporting abortion rights. Some bishops said a strong rebuke of Biden is needed because of his recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access. Others warned that such action […]
Rift on Communion policy as US Catholic bishops open meeting
AP Divisions flared quickly on Wednesday as US Catholic bishops opened a national meeting highlighted by a sensitive agenda item – whether to take initial steps toward a possible rebuke of politicians, including President Joe Biden, who receive Communion while supporting abortion rights. Some said the issue was so important and contentious that all the […]
Essay: As Catholic bishops’ Communion war roils June meeting, look what’s not on the agenda
US Catholic commentator Rev THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, looks at what’s not on the agenda of US Catholic bishops during next week’s meeting…
Keep COVID-19 restrictions during in-person worship, US ecumenical guide suggests
RNS Some Americans may be behaving like the COVID-19 pandemic no longer hinders them from socializing with friends and family, many of whom they may not have seen in months. But the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments, a group of clergy, scientists and other experts, advised congregations to take it slower […]
Vatican warns US bishops over get-tough Communion proposals
RNS A Vatican official urged US bishops to tap the brakes on plans to produce a document concerning Communion and politicians, sending a letter to a top US cleric that could dial-down debate over whether to deny President Joe Biden the Eucharist. The letter, dated 7th May and first reported by America Magazine, came from Cardinal Luis […]
Vatican prelate says individual bishops have final say on Communion
Vatican CityRNS As some American bishops discuss the possibility of denying Communion to Catholic politicians such as President Joe Biden for supporting abortion-rights policies, a senior Vatican prelate said decisions about administering the sacrament rest solely on the bishop giving the Eucharist. “It’s not up to bishops in general to make these decisions, it’s the […]
Virus deaths of senior Serb, Greek religious leaders triggers alarm
Belgrade, Serbia/Athens, GreeceAP After the two most senior Serbian Orthodox Church leaders died within a month after testing positive with the coronavirus, health experts and even hardcore believers are starting to worry. The spread of the virus within the largest religious group in the Balkans is getting more alarming by the day. A senior Orthodox […]