Preaching before more than one million people in Philadelphia, Pope Francis argued strongly against a narrow approach to faith. At a Mass at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 27, the Pope expanded on readings of the day in which Jesus and Moses chided their followers for narrowness. “To raise doubts about the working of Read more
Pope Francis has hailed the “courage” shown by United States bishops in facing up to the clergy sex abuse crisis. Speaking to about 400 bishops in Washington, DC, on September 23, the Pope said the bishops had regained the authority and trust which was demanded of them. He also praised the bishops for being ready Read more
Pope Francis has declared controversial Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra a saint, in a move which has drawn criticism from Native Americans. At a Mass outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on September 23, Serra became the first saint canonised on US soil. The Pope praised Serra’s treatment Read more
Many Catholics in England and Wales are concerned at a legalistic and punitive response by the Church to those who cannot live up to the ideal of marriage. That was one of the conclusions of a report summarising responses to consultation by the England and Wales bishops ahead of next month’s synod on the family. Read more
A priest who spoke at a US women’s ordination conference has been told he can no longer celebrate Mass in a San Francisco parish. Fr Jack McClure joined three inactive priests on a panel at a Women’s Ordination Conference in Philadelphia this month. Precious Blood Fr McClure said that he felt called to break his Read more
Mafia criminals will not be able to serve as godparents at Baptisms or witnesses at Marriages in the southern Italian region of Calabria. The bishops of region have included the ban in a new set of pastoral guidelines. Persons convicted of Mafia-related crimes are also not permitted to carry statues in religious processions unless they Read more
In an historic address to a joint session of the US Congress, Pope Francis challenged US lawmakers and the nation to heal the “open wounds” of the world. The 45-minute address by Pope Francis on September 24 was the first time a Roman Pontiff had addressed this body of US lawmakers. The Pope’s speech featured a Read more
Pope Francis appeared to take aim at Cuba’s communist regime in comments at a Mass at Havana’s Revolution Square on Sunday. The Pontiff told the crowd that “service is never ideological”. Speaking in a plaza dominated by a towering portrait of revolutionary Che Guevara, the Pope told the crowd they should “serve people, not ideas”. Read more
A global network of Catholic women has called on male prelates to include more female experiences and voices in discussions at the synod on the family. A collection of 40 short essays by Catholic women, titled Catholic Women Speak: Bringing Our Gifts to the Table, is to be launched in Rome on October 1. Pope Read more
Pope Francis wants the process for way the Church identifies and appoints bishops reviewed. The Pope has asked his so-called C9 international council of cardinals to do this. He wants them to look particularly at the qualities needed in a bishop today. The council met with the Pope from September 14-16. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Read more