Posts Tagged ‘Pastoral Letter’

US bishops back anti-racism pastoral letter

Thursday, November 22nd, 2018

US bishops are backing an anti-racism pastoral letter aiming “to combat the scourge of racism in the hearts and minds of the faithful, in our own church communities and in the structures of society”. Read more

Malawi’s Muslims note bishops fail to address albino murders

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

Malawi’s Muslim community are criticising the country’s Catholic bishops for failing to mention the murder of albinos in its latest pastoral letter. The 16-page pastoral letter, ‘A Call For A New Era In Malawi’, was read out in Catholic churches last Sunday. The letter lists a number of ills afflicting the nation. It echoes issues Read more

NZ bishops encourage Reconciliation in letter on mercy

Friday, April 1st, 2016

New Zealand’s bishops have produced a pastoral letter on Mercy in which Catholics are asked to give themselves generously to the sacrament of Reconciliation. The letter, titled, “Be Merciful“, notes the interest in the jubilee Year of Mercy throughout the Catholic world. The bishops state that “as a way of life, mercy directs our outlook Read more

Pastoral letter covers Christchurch diocese recovery plan

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

The Bishop of Christchurch has issued a pastoral letter on the Diocesan Recovery Plan. In the letter, Bishop Barry Jones stated that the plan for the diocese is a “single plan” including the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The letter sets out the goals in terms of time frame and building standards to be achieved. The Read more

Evangelisation challenge as Camino more secular

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Bishops whose dioceses are along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route have tried to counter moves to make it just a cultural or tourist experience. French and Spanish bishops released a pastoral letter setting out the possibilities of evangelisation of those travelling the route. The bishops admit that 70 per cent of those walking the Read more

Aussie pastoral letter sparks discrimination complaint

Friday, July 10th, 2015

A same-sex marriage campaigner has recommended Tasmanians offended by a pastoral letter from Australia’s Catholic bishops complain to authorities. A pastoral letter from the bishops titled “Don’t mess with marriage” was sent home with students of Catholic high schools in several archdioceses, including Hobart. It stressed both respect for all and respect for the unique Read more

Aussie priest slams marriage letter going to schools

Friday, June 26th, 2015

A Brisbane priest has hit out against the distribution to school children of a letter from Australia’s bishops arguing against same-sex marriage. The decision to publish and distribute the “Don’t Mess with Marriage” booklet in Catholic schools across Australia has angered Fr Terry Fitzpatrick. “I feel angry and disappointed, but not surprised, that the hierarchy Read more

Aussie bishops engage with same-sex marriage debate

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015

Australia’s Catholic bishops have issued a pastoral letter titled “Don’t Mess with Marriage” as debate on same-sex marriage gains momentum. Released by the bishops’ Commission for Family, Youth and Life, the letter highlights the meaning of marriage and also spells out implications of redefining marriage. The bishops state that in issuing the letter, they want Read more

Families questionnaire reveals sense of exclusion and hurt

Friday, September 19th, 2014

A strong sense of exclusion and hurt is felt by many people who are living in situations not in accord with Church teaching in areas such as divorce and re-marriage, cohabitation, contraception and same sex unions. This information is contained in a Pastoral Letter from the  New Zealand Catholic Bishops summarising the main themes that Read more

Bishop Dunn’s Lenten Pastoral Letter

Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

On Ash Wednesday the Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland New Zealand published a pastoral letter to mark the beginning of Lent. In his pastoral letter the Bishop invited parishes to open their churches on a Wednesday evenings so people can gather and simply “‘be still’ with the Lord” before the Blessed Sacrament PASTORAL LETTER FOR Read more