British musician Sir Elton John says Pope Francis is wonderful and that Jesus would support gay marriage. One of the world’s most prominent gay celebrities, Sir Elton said in an interview that the leader of the Catholic Church is a sign of hope. “He’s excited me so much by his humanity and taking everything down to the humility of faith Read more
A new working document for the upcoming synod on the family has hinted at initiatives to help divorced and remarried Catholics. The 85-page “Instrumentum Laboris” was released by the Vatican on June 26. It was drafted after consultation last year, when a questionnaire about family life was sent to bishops’ conferences. The working document stresses the truth of Church teaching, Read more
Former Irish president Mary McAleese has described the Pope’s plans to canvass bishops’ opinions on family life as “completely bonkers”. She strongly questioned Pope Francis calling a synod later this year on family life. Ms McAleese said there was “just something profoundly wrong and skewed” about asking clergy for their views on this subject, when Read more
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
The Vatican last year sent out a survey to Catholics around the world focusing on attitudes to sex and sexuality. The responses are now in — and they show that the Church is badly in need of reform. Can Pope Francis meet such expectations? Adolescents find it embarrassing to talk about sex with adults. Even Read more
The German bishops are engaged in a dispute with the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith over allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the Eucharist. The congregation’s prefect is repeating the well-trodden path of common Catholic practice – the only place for a married Catholic is in a sacramental marriage and the Read more