Pope’s big synod on church future produces first document, but differences remain over role of women
Rome, ItalyAP Pope Francis’ big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church headed into its final stretch Wednesday, with differences over the role of women still dividing the assembly even as it produced its first document after a month of debate. The Vatican released a letter from the 364-member synod, or meeting, to rank-and-file faithful, updating […]
Vatican summit tackles women’s ordination with a nod from Pope Francis
Vatican CityRNS Discussions about women’s ordination to the priesthood have become livelier in the waning days of the synod on synodality, Pope Francis’ month-long summit to discuss pressing issues facing the church. While there’s a consensus that women’s roles need to be promoted, participants remain divided on how to achieve that goal. The Vatican’s synod, […]
Essay: Cardinal Hollerich guides synod with a gentle hand
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE says, in an article first published on Religion News Service, that Hollerich hopes the synod can develop a road map for worldwide consultation before the next session of the synod in October 2024…
Participants at Vatican synod divided on how to respond to war in the Holy Land
Vatican CityRNS While little news has emerged about the discussions on the Catholic Church’s future going on at the Synod on Synodality here, those sequestered in the synod’s meeting halls have made no secret of their concerns about the violence unfolding in the Holy Land. But though the consciences of the prelates, priests and laypeople […]
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, […]
Essay: Catholic synod – three reasons why the voices of church leaders in Africa are not being heard
In an article first published on The Conversation, STAN CHU ILO, research professor in world Christianity and African studies at DePaul University, explains why there seems to be no clear African agenda articulated through African Catholic church leaders…
Synod on Synodality finds its voice after Pope Francis enforces silence
Vatican CityRNS The first rule of the Synod on Synodality: Don’t talk about the Synod on Synodality. The long-awaited monthlong summit of Catholic cardinals, bishops, priests and laypeople called by Pope Francis to address the biggest challenges facing the church has been wrapped in a veil of silence or – as the Pope calls his […]
Vatican Synod on Synodality signals hope for women’s ordination advocates
Vatican CityRNS Advocates for the ordination of women to the priesthood flocked to Rome this week as the Vatican hosts a historic monthlong gathering of faithful to discuss the future of the church. Dozens of women holding banners calling for female ordination met on Friday at the church of St Giovanni dei Fiorentini – which […]
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 […]
“The church belongs to all of us”: Women’s voices and votes loom large as Pope is set to open a Vatican meeting on church’s future
NICOLE WINFIELD and TRISHA THOMAS, of Associated Press, report…