One test of a given thinker or leader’s impact is the ability to shape language. Karl Marx, for instance, gave us “the bourgeoisie” as an all-encompassing bogeyman of modern capitalism; Ronald Reagan gave us the “evil empire” as a slogan of opposition to the Soviet state Marx’s thought helped to create. By that standard, Pope Read more
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich, visited La Croix for an interview. A member of Pope Francis’ advisory council of cardinals, he reflects on the crisis that the Church is currently experiencing. How to do you see the crisis that the Catholic Church is experiencing today? Since Vatican II, we have asked ourselves how the Church Read more
A Church of England synod has decided to put aside a centuries-old requirement for every church in every benefice to celebrate the weekly Sunday services. The synod says the rules will be amended to say morning and evening prayer need only be held at “at least one church within a benefice, which might include multiple Read more
The Vatican’s working document for October’s Synod of Bishops on “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment” has been published. The document is divided into three sections: recognising; interpreting; and choosing with regard to vocation in life. Young Catholics “want an authentic church”, the document says. “With this, we would like to express, particularly to Read more
A synod on women’s role in the life and mission of the Church has been proposed. The proposal is contained in a statement approved by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America’s plenary assembly. The Commission, which includes 22 Latin American cardinals and bishops, said it was both possible and “urgent” to increase opportunities for women Read more
The church needs to update its teachings on issues like same-sex marriage and contraception, young people told Pope Francis last week. Three hundred young people who came from all over the world to meet Francis also had words for the Church hierarchy. It should be a “transparent, welcoming, honest, inviting, communicative, accessible, joyful and interactive Read more
Pope Francis wants young people to go online and give the Catholic Church an earful. His invitation is for young people all over the world. Their views will add to those of young Catholics meeting in Rome next month. Read more
1400 people between the age of 16 to 29 years have so far responded to the invitation from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops to say what they think about life, faith, and their experience of Church through an online survey. “It’s really heartening to see so many who want to be involved and have their Read more
As the Vatican released the preparatory document for the 2018 synod of bishops on “Young people, faith and vocational discernment”, Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan said the value of knowing the thoughts and aspirations of young people in the Church can never be overestimated. The preparatory document included a series of questions to be answered by national conferences of bishops and other Church bodies. Responses, along with input from Read more
Cardinal John Dew has announced that the fifth Synod for the Archdiocese of Wellington is to take place in 2017. A diocesan synod helps to establish the ‘communion and mission’ of a diocesan community. In the decree of convocation Dew said he was mindful of Pope Francis’ desire that we advance along the path of what Read more