On November 1, 2023, Pope Francis issued the “Motu Proprio” Ad theologiam promovendam indicating how theology today “is called to a turning point, to a paradigm shift.” The Pope signalled how this shift must foster a “fundamentally contextual theology” based on a nexus between relationships, experience, and no longer being self-referential. The following offers a Read more
“The criteria of Catholic ecclesiology have been lost, (…) it is not said openly, but the path that has been taken is that of Protestantisation”. Cardinal Gerard L. Müller’s assessment of the Synod on Synodality, which has just ended, is extremely worrying. The Daily Compass meets the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine Read more
“Disarmament Week” – a UN-sponsored event that takes place every year from October 24-30 – usually comes and goes unnoticed. It is seen as a nice idea that is impractical in the real world. This year, however, it is more likely to be dismissed as an absurd idea. The conflict between Israel and Hamas will Read more
Following the closing Mass of the first session of the Synod on Synodality in Rome this October, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago (pictured left), spoke with America’s Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell. Cupich told O’Connell about his experience of the meeting and the synod’s synthesis document, published Oct. 29. This interview has been edited Read more
While fallout from Pope Francis’s Oct. 4-29 Synod of Bishops on Synodality continues to fuel Catholic debate in the West, arousing disappointment in some quarters and cautious optimism in others, it’s different for most churchgoers in Brazil, Churchgoers in Brazil, the world’s largest Catholic nation, frankly don’t seem to have paid much attention to the Read more
Pope Francis said it well: “War does not solve any problem, it only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future.” The future for Palestinians and Israelis is being erased each passing day. Before it is too late, the United States and Congress should side with peace, not more war, in Read more
For Pope Francis, the first session of the Synod on Synodality was never about resolving the controversial issues facing the Church. Even so, there were those who hoped for forward motion on married priests, women deacons and LGBTQ issues. They will be disappointed by the final report issued by the synod. For Francis it was Read more
A dividing line has emerged at the Synod between those who believe this Synod, with its different process and the inclusion of lay delegates, marks a positive development and those who think it is a serious mistake. The Synod’s sceptics, who are not numerous but have been vocal, are questioning the status of the assembly: Read more
“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone’” (Gn 2:18). What the Lord God forgot (with all due respect) is that while it is not good for man to be alone all the time. Sometimes man just wants to sit in his flannel pajamas in the company of his Read more
As this column is being written, the Synod of Bishops is bringing to a close the most opaque assembly ever to be held in its relatively brief, post-Vatican II history. Actually, once the members of the October 4-29 gathering have voted on a final document (Saturday evening) and then celebrated the concluding Mass in St. Read more