Essay: The Synod on Synodality needs to set its own agenda
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, recalls how the Second Vatican Council’s fathers tossed the Curia’s agenda and set their own and wonders whether history could repeat itself…
Indonesian Catholicism: Catholics face a shortage of priests. But one seminary is overwhelmed with applicants
NINIEK KARMINI, of Associated Press, reports from Maumere in Indonesia…
Back from summer break, Pope Francis aims to cement his legacy
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis, back from his summer break, is beginning a hectic few months of travel and major debate over the future direction of the Catholic Church. Some Vatican watchers see an ageing pope out to cement his legacy of opening up the church to the modern world. In September, the 87-year-old pontiff, […]
On A Mission: “My faith has to ride for justice” – Brazil’s Catholic priests mediate fight over land rights
In Brazil, the forced removal of vulnerable people from privately owned land has created a role for Catholic priests as mediators between landowners and beleaguered communities. CHLOË-ARIZONA FODOR, who worked on expanding Paraná’s mediation program to the national level, reports on their work…
AI evangelisation: Silicon Valley bishop, two Catholic AI experts weigh in
Catholic leaders who have worked with the Vatican on AI say that a recent experiment from Catholic Answers illustrates the ways AI evangelisation can go wrong. ALEJA HERTZLER-MCCAIN, of Religion News Service, reports…
“A step back in time”: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways
TIM SULLIVAN, of Associated Press, reports on the changes taking place within parts of the Catholic Church in the US…
Catholic parishes disproportionately closed in poor, Black and Latino neighbourhoods in the US
United States RNS While the number of US Catholics is increasing, the total number of Catholic parishes nationwide declined nine per cent between 1970 and 2020, according to a new report by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. In 10 of the 11 dioceses studied, those closures are disproportionately happening in Black […]
‘Trinity’s Triumph’: A new film, written by New Jersey priest, humanises Catholic clergy
While reductive narratives depict priests as perfect heroes or evil villains, said writer and producer Stephen Fichter, truth is more complicated. KATHRYN POST, of Religion News Service, reports…
Essay: The Catholic Church needs married priests now
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says that at the Last Supper, Jesus said, ‘”Do this in memory of me”. He did not say, “Be celibate”…
Essay: Nicaragua released imprisoned priests, but repression is unlikely to relent – and the Catholic Church remains a target
In an article first published on The Conversation, KAI M THALER looks at recent events in Nicaragua against the backdrop of a years-long, wide-ranging crackdown on Catholic church clergy and groups…