A recent Vatican decision to not allow a progressive theologian to become the dean of a theological university in Italy highlights the fractures within the Catholic Church over sexual morality while also hinting at divisions inside the Vatican itself. The Rev. Martin Lintner was selected by its faculty to become dean of the prestigious Theological Read more
In January, America published an article I wrote on the theme of inclusion in the life of the church. Since that time, the positions I presented have received both substantial support and significant opposition. The majority of those criticizing my article focused on its treatment of the exclusion of those who are divorced and remarried Read more
US Cardinal Robert McElroy is a heretic, hints a US Catholic bishop in an essay called ‘Imagining a Heretical Cardinal’. In his ‘First Things’ magazine article, conservative prelate and canon lawyer Thomas Paprocki (pictured) cites an unnamed cardinal’s views on how the Church should minister to LGBTQ people and divorced and remarried Catholics. While he Read more
I came of age in the 1960s. It was an era of civil unrest, race riots, anti-war protests, and the sexual revolution. One of the popular bumper stickers at the time stated: Question Everything. These societal events coincided with the sessions of the Second Vatican Council and its early implementation. The council brought beautiful and Read more
Nine out of ten Catholics in France firmly believe the Church needs to change its attitude towards sexual morality, according to the findings of poll last month that was co-sponsored by La Croix. Many moral theologians in the country agree with that assessment. One of them said that re-formulating Church teaching on human sexuality is Read more
Clericalism is a direct result of rigidity and linked to a fixation on sexual morality, says Pope Francis. “One dimension of clericalism is the exclusive moral fixation on the sixth commandment [Thou shalt not commit adultery],” he says. “We focus on sex and then we do not give weight to social injustice, slander, gossip and Read more
Pope Francis has changed one significant emphasis of his pontificate since last year’s extraordinary synod on the family, a Vatican watcher says. Vaticanista Sandro Magister, writing for the Italian L’Espresso magazine, said in the first two summers of his pontificate, Francis “gave space and visibility to the men and movements in favour of a reform Read more
A Dominican sister whose comments at a US Catholic school about sexuality ignited a storm has cancelled speaking engagements and has gone on leave. On March 21, Sr Jane Dominic Laurel, a Nashville Dominican sister, told students at Charlotte Catholic High School that studies have shown that gays and lesbians are not born with same-sex Read more
Some Church teachings on sexual morality are poorly accepted and disconnected from real-life experiences of families, say Irish respondents to Vatican questions. Feedback from Dublin and Tuam archdioceses reveals a distinct gap between Church teaching and practice. Continue reading
In an article published on The Ruminator website, New Act Leader Jamie Whyte was asked whether the state should intervene if adult siblings wanted to marry each other. “Well personally, I don’t think they [the State] should. However, it’s a matter of almost no significance because it just doesn’t happen.” Whyte said that this was his are his Read more