The Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart in Germany has given the green light for twenty-six lay theologians, both male and female, to administer the sacrament of baptism during church liturgies. This decision follows in the footsteps of the Diocese of Essen, which in March allowed non-ordained theologians to conduct baptisms. Bishop Gebhard Fuerst officially commissioned these theologians Read more
The Vatican has affirmed that transgender individuals are eligible to participate as godparents and witnesses in Roman Catholic sacraments of baptism and marriage, and they can be baptised. The Vatican’s document, signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, was published on the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith website on Read more
Catholic theology needs to undergo a “paradigm shift” says Pope Francis. It must engage widely with contemporary science, culture and people’s lived experience as an essential starting point. Citing the need to deal with “profound cultural transformations,” Francis’s vision for Catholic theology’s future is encapsulated in a new motu proprio (apostolic letter) issued on Saturday. Read more
Scammers are posing as priests and contacting parishioners, the Catholic Diocese of Auckland says. It is warning Auckland parishioners that scammers are asking for gift cards and money. The Bishop’s office says the texts usually start with the name of the so-called priest. Sometimes parishioners’ names are included. Describing a typical text from the scammers, Read more
The much anticipated “synthesis report” from October’s synod on synodality was released after the confidential Vatican-based meetings concluded on Sunday. The synthesis report summarises synodal discussions about how a synodal Church’s ministries and structures can give a wider role for laity which is more in line with the vision of Vatican II. Big issues discussed Read more
Marriage rates are declining. Marriage could disappear altogether, says an English Catholic bishop. The social consequences that the shrinking number of marriages is causing are not good, Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury says. Speaking at a diocesan Mass celebrating marriage, Davies praised the congregation which was composed of married couples. Between them, they have amassed Read more
The “niche issue” issue of women priests and deacons distracts the Church from addressing what women really need, a theologian participating in the Synod on Synodality says. “As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” says Professor Renée Köhler-Ryan (pictured). Köhler-Ryan is the National Head of School Read more
Addressing Spirit Unbounded, Pa Ropata McGowan from New Zealand said that humanity is not the master of the universe and that everything we have depends on the earth’s wellness. Organised by the International Reform Network, Spirit Unbounded is a virtual assembly running in parallel to the current Synod on Synodality, attracting participants from all over Read more
Aotearoa New Zealand “punches above its weight” in sport, science and international affairs. We also excel at something less praiseworthy: producing excessive emissions which damage the environment. However, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is gloomy about the country’s response to climate change and in its latest ‘advocacy newsletter,’ and pricks at New Zealanders’ consciences. It points Read more
Maintaining synod confidentiality was one of Pope Francis’s particular requests of delegates during this month’s synod on synodality in Rome. But one delegate, German cardinal Gerhard Müller, immediately defied the pontiff’s request. Müller, a former head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, is known as a vocal critic of Francis’s synod on synodality. During an Eternal Read more