Pope Francis’ push for synodality inside the Church coincides chronologically with the rise of populist leaders and the crisis of democracy on the outside. Synodality, therefore, has an ad extra dimension. It is an ecclesial response to populist leaders who “hijack” religion by sowing division and exploiting the anger of those who feel excluded, as Read more
There are many aspects to reform in the church. Different people and different reform groups, have their own take on what, or who, needs reform the most urgently. I must admit the recent article by Antonio Spadaro on Pope Francis has prompted me to think more about it.[1] I would like to share some of Read more
The youth ministry is an important feature of the Church and the real meaning of “synodality” is well understood by young people, Pope Francis says. Young people have lessons they could teach the Church about synodality, Pope Francis says. “They have asked us in a thousand ways to walk alongside them — not behind them Read more
A time when women’s inclusion in the College of Cardinals is acceptable is not hard to imagine, says Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF). “Nothing prevents them from holding many more important functions in the workings of the institution, with everything being a matter of competence.” Furthermore, Moulins-Beaufort is not opposed Read more
The next ordinary Synod of Bishops will be a synod on synodality, the Vatican announced March 7. In October 2022, bishops from around the world will meet in Rome to discuss the theme: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.” The concept of “synodality” has been a topic of frequent discussion by Pope Francis, Read more
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
Among those who believe the Catholic Church must modernise to save itself from perpetual decline, some of the staunchest advocates are church leaders here in Germany. Some German bishops have spoken in favour of abandoning the celibacy requirement for priests and vaulting women into leadership roles now off-limits. Some have urged updating the religion’s stern Read more
The youth synod’s final report resoundingly endorses ‘synodality’. This could be a positive step – once bishops have worked out what it means Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has often expressed the desire for a more “synodal” style of Church life, and commentators on Catholic affairs now increasingly speak of “synodality”. What do Read more
The laity is an “indispensable” part of Church governance, says the International Theological Commission. The Commission, which helps establish official Catholic teaching, says canon law should be updated to make it compulsory for parishes to have councils that consult the laity. An article called “Synodality in the Life of the Church” published on the Commission’s Read more
Two hundred theologians have declared that reform of the Roman Curia must be widened to become reform of the whole Church. The theologians, from throughout the world, issued a declaration at the end of a theological congress in Germany earlier this month. The title of the gathering in Munich was “Opening the Council – Theology Read more