When the Holy Father asked me to give this retreat, I felt enormously honoured but nervous. I am deeply aware of my personal limitations. I am old – white – a Westerner – and a man! I don’t know which is worse! All of these aspects of my identity limit my understanding. So I ask Read more
We come to this Synod with conflicting hopes. But this need not be an insuperable obstacle. We are united in the hope of the Eucharist, a hope which embraces and transcends all that we long for. But there is another source of tension. Our understandings of the Church as our home sometimes clash. Every living Read more
We are called to walk on the synodal way in friendship. Otherwise, we shall get nowhere. Friendship, with God and each other, is rooted in the joy of being together but we need words. At Caesarea Philippi, conversation broke down. Jesus had called Peter ‘Satan’, enemy. On the mountain, he still does not know what Read more
In a momentous event at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis inaugurated the Synod on Synodality with a powerful message, “the primary task of the synod is to focus on God and be a Church that shows mercy to humanity.” Pope Francis presided over the opening Mass attended by nearly 500 priests, bishops and cardinals, emphasising Read more
Liberal and conservative Catholics who anticipate significant shifts in Catholic teaching and practice from the upcoming session of the Synod of Bishops are likely to be let down. The comments come from the Vatican’s new doctrinal chief, Cardinal Victor Fernández. However, he is not ruling out the possibility of future change. Fernández says that those Read more
Pope Francis has hinted he could be open to blessing same-sex couples provided certain conditions are met. The blessings must not be confused with the wedding ceremonies of heterosexuals, and decisions as to whether to bless these couples should be decided on a case-by-case basis he said. Francis shared his views on several hot theological Read more
Concern is brewing among Catholics when they learnt that not a single New Zealand woman is representing the country at the upcoming Synod. New Zealand’s bishops had nominated a balanced slate of nine candidates, including five women and four men, but the final selection process has left many Kiwi men and women scratching their heads. Read more
Discernment of how the Spirit is leading the church is at the heart of Pope Francis’ plans for the Synod on Synodality, but anyone who thinks discernment is easy is bound to get into trouble. It is very easy for us to believe that our desires and opinions are inspired by the Spirit and that Read more
Catholic clergy and laypeople will gather at the Vatican Oct. 4-29 for a synod, or summit of bishops and laypeople, to discuss synodality, with an emphasis on communion, participation and mission. While some might dismiss the highly anticipated event as a meeting on meetings, the term synodality under Pope Francis has expanded to reflect his Read more
Hong Kong Cardinal Stephen Chow has spoken about his vision for evangelisation in China. He emphasised sharing the love of God without the primary goal of converting individuals to Catholicism. “I think it is important that we say that Pope Francis made a distinction. Evangelisation is really to help people to understand the love of Read more