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
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
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
Cardinal Walter Kasper’s proposals to allow Communion for remarried divorcees got a frosty reception from many of his fellow cardinals at a recent meeting That is according to an Italian journalist writing about the February consistory at the Vatican. In an article for the Turin daily, La Stampa, on March 24, Marco Tosatti wrote that 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
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
Leaders of 52 groups seeking reform and renewal in the Catholic Church have written to Pope Francis asking for a meeting. They urge the Pope to take immediate action to appoint more women to Church leadership positions. The Pope’s frequent references to pastoral care for people and to the status of women are cited. But Read more
Ministry to divorced and remarried Catholics was high on the agenda at a meeting of 150 cardinals from around the world. After a consistory on February 20-21, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said the cardinals’ discussions had focussed mainly on three topics. These were the Christian vision of people and family life, pastoral support for Read more
The leader of the German bishops’ conference has defended a plan by the prelates to offer Communion to divorced Catholics, saying he feels “strengthened” by Pope Francis on the matter despite opposition from the Vatican’s highest doctrinal official. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, chairman of the German Episcopal Conference, says that in reflecting on the opposition to Read more