One of the surprises to come out of the Synod on Synodality was a call for better liturgy. The final report of the October 2023 session of the synod referred to “the widely reported need to make liturgical language more accessible to the faithful and more embodied in the diversity of cultures.” The English-speaking church Read more
Liturgical reform is crucial in the ongoing renewal of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis said this to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on Thursday. After what has been labelled as a significant address, discussion took place against the backdrop of the dicastery’s annual plenary assembly. The assembly focused Read more
Ignoring restrictions on the use of the Latin Mass and making schismatic statements means a Brazilian priest faces canonical proceedings. The Archbishop of São Paulo, Cardinal Odilo Scherer, issued a decree on November 23 stripping Fr Fábio Fernandes of his public ministry and removing him as pastor from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in São Read more
The promulgation of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, stands as a pivotal moment that ushered in a new era for the Catholic Church. Sixty years hence, we can reflect on the impact of this document on New Zealand’s theological landscape and liturgical practices. Sacrosanctum Concilium is the cornerstone of Vatican II because Read more
In the wake of recent events in Christchurch involving the fringe group “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer” and their alleged exorcisms, a critical examination of the Church’s stance on pre-Vatican II Latin Mass rites is both timely and necessary. This group’s actions have them being accused of operating as a law unto themselves, disrespecting Read more
Liturgical Theologian Dr Joe Grayland questions why fringe groups such as the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer are tolerated. “They do not belong to the mainstream of the Church and do not follow the ordinary form of the Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969 (Novus Ordo). Last week, NewsHub alleged the Sons of Read more
A synodal, missionary, and open Church can only speak to the world through an “open” theology. Ad theologiam promovendam (November 2023) Pope Francis’s revision of the statutes of the Pontifical Academy of Theology is an important development within the discipline of contemporary theology. Francis emphasises the need for an open theology within a synodal, missionary, Read more
Pope Francis is asking for synodality in all parishes, presenting the Catholic Church in New Zealand with a monumental task, none more so than for the Synod delegates. While Synodality will not happen overnight, indeed there is a part two of the Synod in October 2024, CathNews spoke with some ‘synod watching’ Catholics about tasking Read more
A well-worn jest about Ireland goes like this: A lost tourist in Limerick asks for directions to Dublin, and the convoluted directions leave the tourist utterly bewildered. Finally, the tourist gazes into the distance, resigned to the fact that reaching Dublin is impossible. At this point, the local utters the famous words, “Well, if I Read more
The call for synodality has been louder than ever, but does the Church truly understand what it means to listen, especially to those who have left its pews? Listening has become a recurring term in religious circles, particularly in discussions around synodality. But if the Catholic Church is serious about this form of governance, it Read more