Pope Francis has called an extraordinary synod of bishops on the family in October. The hot button issue for the gathering is already well known – whether divorced and remarried Catholics can or should be able to receive the Eucharist. Battles lines at the Vatican have already been drawn in the differing views expressed by Read more
Italy’s Catholic bishops have condemned a proposed law that would fast-track divorce in their country. Legislation to allow divorce in 6 months where both parties agree, and 12 months where they don’t, has passed in Italy’s lower house of Parliament. It now heads to Italy’s Senate, where it is expected to pass. “Speedy divorce will Read more
A senior Italian bishop says the Church should listen to arguments for gay relationships, Communion for divorcees and ending mandatory celibacy for priests. Bishop Nunzio Galantino, who is secretary-general of the Italian bishops’ conference (CEI), said he wants Church leaders to open their minds on these issues. “My wish for the Italian Church is that Read more
During his first Angelus address, Pope Francis recommended a work of theology that “has done me so much good” because it “says that mercy changes everything; it changes the world by making it less cold and more fair.” That book is Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life by Cardinal Read more
Anya Tate-Manning, 33, has been with her partner, James, for “about five years” now. That she has to stop and think about it for a moment, counting backwards to when they first got together, is telling of their level of commitment – there’s no self-conscious mental tallying of months like there is by those on Read more
Pope Francis’s praise for Humanae Vitae is key to understanding his dual emphases on clear doctrine and pastoral mercy, a senior Vatican observer says. Writing in L’Espresso, Sandro Magister noted there is growing pressure for a change in Church teaching on Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics. “There was similarly massive pressure for change in Read more
New Zealanders are marrying later than in the past. Statistics from the 2013 census released on 5 May show that in 2013, the median age at first marriage was 30.1 years for men and 28.6 years for women – up from 27.3 and 25.2 years in 1993. Although the median age at first marriage has Read more
A senior German cardinal believes there is a “practicable” way for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Cardinal Reinhard Marx told a newspaper that such people “who acknowledge their failure should be able to apply for a readmission to the sacraments after a period of penitence”. A similar proposal was made by Cardinal Walter Read more
The way Vatican II looked at ecumenism shows a possible path forward for interpreting doctrines about marriage, Cardinal Walter Kasper says. Speaking to Vatican Radio, Cardinal Kasper said the responses to recent Vatican questions about the family show there is an “abyss” between Church teaching and people’s situations. “The Church has to bridge this abyss,” Read more
This week we celebrate the first anniversary (13 March) of the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis. But it is next month that we will witness an event that says more about what to make of him and what to expect in his Pontificate. In April, Pope Francis will beatify on the same day Read more