Pope says Africans are “special case” when it comes to LGBT blessings
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis said in an interview published on Monday that Africans were a “special case” in the opposition of bishops and many other people in the continent to homosexuality. But he said he was confident that, except for Africans, critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples would eventually understand […]
Next steps: Pope Francis’ synod made few waves, but organisers say it’s already changing the church
The controversy over blessing gay couples is just another example of synodality at work, according to Sr. Nathalie Becquart. CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, reports….
Congo’s Catholic and Protestant churches demand inquiry into election issues
Kinshasa, Democratic Repiblic of Congo Reuters Democratic Republic of Congo’s powerful Catholic bishops conference and Protestant churches on Thursday demanded an independent inquiry be opened into irregularities and alleged legal violations observed during December general elections. Congo’s CENI election commission said on Sunday that President Felix Tshisekedi had secured more than 73 per cent in […]
Pope denounces continuing crackdown on Catholic Church in Nicaragua; calls for an end to violence against women in World Day of Peace message
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis on Monday denounced a growing crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua by the government of President Daniel Ortega. Twelve priests and a bishop have been detained in recent days in the Central American country, where Ortega began repressing the Catholic Church after national demonstrations in 2018. Pope Francis leads the […]
Catholic Church: To remake church power in Francis’ vision, synod calls for changes to canon law
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, explains that while canon law already allows for the participation of lay Catholics, the role of bishops – and even the Pope – might require revisions to the code that runs the church…
Synod on Synodality finds its voice after Pope Francis enforces silence
Vatican City RNS The first rule of the Synod on Synodality: Don’t talk about the Synod on Synodality. The long-awaited monthlong summit of Catholic cardinals, bishops, priests and laypeople called by Pope Francis to address the biggest challenges facing the church has been wrapped in a veil of silence or – as the Pope calls […]
Two mainland China bishops to attend big Vatican meeting after tensions
Vatican City Reuters Two bishops from mainland China are due to attend a major Vatican meeting next month, officials said on Thursday, a positive sign after recent tensions between the Holy See and Beijing. The two bishops were chosen by their brother bishops in China, meaning they likely had approval from the communist government, which […]
Catholic bishops in South Sudan call for re-examination of “flawed” peace pact
Nairobi, Kenya RNS Catholic bishops in South Sudan are calling for reexamination of the peace deal the country has implemented with international support for five years, warning that the pact is based on a flawed model that may never bring peace to the world’s newest nation. The bishops claim the pact, which ended the 2013-2018 […]
Churches aiding flood-affected in DRC’s South Kivu
Nairobi, Kenya Churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo are helping victims of deadly floods and landslides who are still in dire need of humanitarian assistance, particularly in South Kivu, a province in the east of the country. The death toll from flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall has risen to more than […]
Synod officials caution bishops to put Catholics’ needs over their own agendas
Rome, Italy RNS The Vatican officials heading up the Synod on Synodality issued a stern reminder to the world’s bishops that they are called to listen to their flock, rather than jump to conclusions or impose their own agendas. “There are in fact some who presume to already know what the conclusions of the Synodal […]