New Zealand

Preparing for synod raises Archbishop’s hopes for the Church

synod

Ensuring he was fully prepared for the Synod of Synodality’s second session kept Archbishop Paul Martin extra busy before leaving for Rome. Commenting on Facebook, Martin said it was difficult to examine Synod’s first session synthesis and see how it was expressed in the second session’s instrumentum laboris (agenda). It’s not what you’d call a Read more

Are we religious in NZ? Statistics show yeah-nah – a bit perhaps

religious

Religious affiliation in New Zealand shows an almost even split between those identifying with an organised religion and those who don’t, Statistics New Zealand data shows. Census 2023 found that almost half of New Zealanders (48 percent) identified as belonging to an organised religion while 51.6 percent said they had none at all. Further Census Read more

Analysis and Comment

What was that? Disillusionment instead of enthusiasm in the synod assembly hall

synod

In my last blog, I reported on the enthusiasm that filled me and many other synod participants during the retreat days. The enthusiasm gave way to a certain disillusionment after two more days. That was to be expected. But the fact that it would happen so quickly and that this “sobering up process” even began Read more

South African women feel left off the agenda at the synod—and they’re frustrated with Pope Francis.

synod

As this year’s session of the Synod on Synodality gets underway in Rome, South African women and women religious have reached new levels of frustration with the church and Pope Francis himself. Theologian and spiritual director Annemarie Paulin-Campbell said Pope Francis has been a superb leader in many respects. “However,” she said, “when it comes Read more

Pope Francis and the Louvain deadlock

Pope Francis

During his visit to Belgium, Pope Francis was warmly received September 28 at the University of Louvain, which was celebrating its 600th anniversary. And yet, the event left a bitter aftertaste. Confronted by a group of students and faculty over “the invisibility of women” in his encyclical Laudato si’, “Christian ecofeminism,” and the role of Read more

This week at the Synod on Synodality — revolution or much ado about nothing?

Perhaps it is in the very nature of the Synod on Synodality to take steps back after having taken several steps forward. But the tone of the opening days of the synod’s final general assembly makes it apparent that, for the moment, there is no talk of revolution within the Church. That tone was set Read more

No to women deacons

The Vatican announced on October that there is currently no basis for ordaining women deacons. The announcement came from Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, head of the Vatican’s Doctrine Office. It came after a year-long study by a specially appointed unnamed synod group. “We have concluded that there is still no room for a positive decision Read more

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  • Pope Francis calls for Church to reimagine the role of bishops

    Role of bishops

    Pope Francis has called for a re-examination of the role of bishops in the Catholic Church, emphasising the need for greater collaboration with laypeople. Addressing over 400 delegates at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, Francis noted that including laymen, laywomen, priests and religious as synod delegates reflects a shift towards greater participation in decision-making. Francis Read more

  • Synod study groups open to contributions from all Catholics

    Cardinal Mario Grech has extended an invitation to all Catholics to contribute to the ongoing work of Synod study groups. This initiative, open until June 2025, allows individuals and groups within the Church to submit their insights, observations and proposals on key theological issues. The Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano reported that Cardinal Grech, Secretary General of Read more

  • Pope told to butt out of Belgium democratic process

    Abortion in Belgium

    A diplomatic row has erupted between Belgium and the Vatican after Pope Francis referred to abortion as “murder” and called doctors who perform the procedure “hitmen”. Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has summoned the Vatican’s ambassador, Archbishop Franco Coppola, following the “unacceptable” comments. De Croo stressed “Fortunately, the time when the Church dictated laws Read more

  • Seven cardinals confess seven sins at Synod’s second session

    sins

    Seven cardinals called for forgiveness for seven sins during the penitential celebration at the opening of the Synod of Bishops’ second session last week. Sins against peace Cardinal Oswald Gracias sought forgiveness “for the lack of courage, the necessary courage in the pursuit of peace between peoples and nations. “Our sin is even graver if, Read more

  • Marriage or work? Vatican staff have to choose

    marriage

    Marriage between the Vatican’s 100-strong employee pool isn’t allowed. You can live together and work together, you can have children together and work together, but you may not be married and work together. Oh no. If you marry, one of you must volunteer to leave the Vatican’s employ altogether (going to another department isn’t acceptable). Read more