United Methodist Church: One fourth of churches in US have left in schism over LGBTQ ban. What happens now?
PETER SMITH, of Associated Press, reports on the growing number of congregations leaving the denomination…
Explainer – Five things the Catholic Church’s document on same-sex blessings does (and doesn’t) say
Vatican CityRNS In an unprecedented opening by the Catholic Church toward welcoming LGBTQ people, the Vatican’s Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith approved the blessing of same-sex couples on Monday in a document titled Fiducia Supplicans, or Requesting Trust. Pope Francis approved the document, formally called a declaration – a term that signals that […]
Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling
Vatican CityReuters The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular church rituals or liturgies. Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window, at the Vatican, on 17th December, 2023. PICTURE: […]
Women’s voices being heard at Vatican’s big meeting on church’s future, nun says
Rome, ItalyAP A prominent Irish nun said Monday that women’s voices are being heard at Pope Francis’ big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church, and said delegates are also acknowledging the hurt caused by the church’s position on homosexuality. Sister Patricia Murray, executive secretary of the main umbrella group of women’s religious orders, […]
Pope Francis opens a big Vatican meeting on the church’s future and says ‘everyone’ is welcome
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis said the Catholic Church needed to be rebuilt to make it a place of welcome for “everyone, everyone, everyone,” as he opened a divisive meeting on the future of the church that has sparked hope among progressives and alarm among conservatives. Francis presided over a solemn Mass in St Peter’s Square […]
Catholic Church: The Vatican’s ‘Synod on Synodality’ is about to begin. Here’s what to know.
The unprecedented gathering of 464 Catholic clergy and laypeople, including women, begins on 4th October at the Vatican. CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, looks at what to expect…
Catholic Church: Ideological rifts among US bishops are in the spotlight ahead of momentous Vatican meeting
DAVID CRARY, of Associated Press, reports on divisions among US Catholics ahead of next month’s unprecedented synod…
Divided Church of England to debate blessings for same-sex unions
London, UKReuters The Church of England’s governing body will deliberate on how priests could carry out blessings for same-sex couples when it gathers in the cathedral city of York for a five-day meeting on Friday. The assembly of bishops, clergy and laity – called the General Synod – is also due to discuss on Saturday […]
US Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesn’t want to make wedding websites for gay couples
Washington DC, USAP In a defeat for gay rights, the US Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled on Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples. One of the court’s liberal justices wrote in a dissent that the decision’s effect is to “mark gays and lesbians for […]
Vatican document highlights need for concrete steps for women, “radical inclusion” of LGBTQ+
Updated: 7:55am, 21st June, 2023 (AEST)Vatican CityAP An unprecedented global canvassing of Catholics has called for the church to take concrete steps to promote women to decision-making roles, for a “radical inclusion” of the LGBTQ+ community and for new accountability measures to check how bishops exercise authority. The Vatican on Tuesday released the synthesis of […]