Pope opens two-year consultation on Catholic Church future; meets freed nun
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis on Sunday launched a two-year worldwide consultative process that could change the way the Roman Catholic Church makes decisions and leave its mark long after his pontificate is over. Proponents see the initiative called “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” as an opportunity to change the church’s power dynamics […]
Working groups at the Vatican’s Amazon synod push for married clergy
Vatican CityRNS As the 185 Catholic bishops who met to discuss the Amazon region broke into small working groups for the second week of the synod, the topics they would tackle included dwindling vocations, the role of women and married men in the church and the rights of Indigenous peoples. But if the small-group participants […]
Gathering of German bishops tests Pope Francis’ efforts for decentralisation
Vatican CityRNS Following an attempt by the Vatican to exercise control over its upcoming and reform-driven gathering, the Catholic Church in Germany has made it clear that it has no intention of backing down, proving to be yet another wedge in the internal church wars that have plagued Pope Francis’ six-year papacy. At the root […]
In historic shift, Vatican to consider married priests for Amazon region
Vatican CityReuters A Vatican document on Monday said the church should consider ordaining older married men as priests in remote areas of the Amazon, a historic shift which some say could pave the way for their use in other areas where clergy are scarce. The recommendation, contained in a working document prepared by the Vatican […]
CATHOLIC CHURCH: BISHOPS AT SYNOD STRUGGLE WITH WHAT TO CALL GAY PEOPLE
DAVID GIBSON, of Religion News Service, reports on attempts by Catholic bishops to grapple with how to refer to gay people…
ESSAY: VATICAN SUMMIT ENTERS HOME STRETCH. BUT WHERE’S THE FINISH LINE?
DAVID GIBSON, writing for Religion News Service, takes a look at the Catholic Church’s month-long gathering looking at how to engage young people…
In historic votes, US Lutherans elect two African-American women bishops
RNS Rev Patricia A Davenport speaks after being elected bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod during its assembly at Franconia Mennonite Church in Telford, Pennsylvania, on 5th May. PICTURE: Via SEPAsynod video A synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America made history Saturday by electing the denomination’s first female African-American bishop. One day […]
In the US, United Church of Christ resolution decries Israel’s treatment of underage prisoners
RNS Delegates attending the United Church of Christ’s General Synod meeting on 30th June in Baltimore. PICTURE: UCC via Flickr The governing body of the United Church of Christ has voted overwhelmingly for a resolution that condemns Israel’s treatment of minors who go through its military courts, accusing it of defying international conventions. The resolution, […]