An English cardinal says that during the synod on the family, he developed his thinking on ways towards Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said he had developed his understanding of how the divorced and remarried could undergo a penitential path. This in turn could lead them being re-admitted to the Read more
Archbishop John Dew says the discussion at and after the synod on the family is ultimately about people’s lives and it is clear that people are hurting. In a summary statement on the synod, Archbishop Dew said “if the Church is to be a mother that consoles, encourages, reaches out, supports it must listen to what Read more
One third of divorced and remarried Catholics, who have not had their first marriage annulled, receive Communion, according to a Tablet survey. More than 4300 people from around the world completed a questionnaire on www.thetablet.co.uk between 3 and 14 October about what they’d like to see from the synod on the family. Nearly 85 per Read more
The conservative prefect of the Apostolic Signatura appears to have confirmed reports that Pope Francis is to assign him to a lesser role. American Cardinal Raymond Burke confirmed to the National Catholic Reporter that he has been told he will be removed from his current role. Asked who told him he would be removed, Cardinal Read more
The final report from the synod on the family has narrowed down aspects of a “welcoming” preliminary report, especially concerning gay people. The preliminary report, issued half way through the synod, asked if the Church community was welcoming to gay people. It noted that gay people have “gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian Read more
Some of the Church’s senior prelates have been sharply critical of the document released half way through the synod on the family. The text – known as the relatio –sought to summarise the discussions at the gathering so far. It has been described as a “pastoral earthquake” and suggests the Church should recognise the good in unions Read more
The synod on the family’s special secretary has given a qualified support to legal recognition of the rights of people in same-sex unions. At a press conference after the release of the synod’s half way report (relatio), Archbishop Bruno Forte said “it seems obvious to me that humans have different experiences [and] have rights that Read more
An African bishop was unable to attend the synod on the family in Rome because Ebola-related restrictions meant he couldn’t leave his country. Bishop Anthony Borwah of GBarnga diocese in Liberia has sent a written intervention to the synod instead. In August, Bishop Borwah discovered that neighbouring Ivory Coast had restricted airline travel and closed Read more
German Cardinal Walter Kasper has said that African prelates should not tell the rest of the Church what to do about homosexual people. In an interview with Zenit on October 15, after the evening working groups’ discussions at the synod on the family, Cardinal Kasper said homosexuality is a taboo subject in Africa. “Africa is Read more
On his daily blog from the synod on the family, Archbishop John Dew has painted a picture of sharp divisions among synod members. On his October 15 posting from Rome, Archbishop Dew noted that there had been vigorous arguments in the small group discussions taking place this week. “The arguments are very strong as to Read more