In a major break with past praxis almost 50 years after Paul VI first established the synod of bishops Pope Francis has given the synod fathers the key elements for synodality something akin to a bill of rights that creates a climate of freedom He did so at the start of the synod rsquo s first pl

The Supreme Court refused to get involved in the national debate over same-sex marriage on Oct. 6, leaving intact lower court rulings that will legalize the practice in 11 additional states. The unexpected decision by the justices, announced without further explanation, immediately affects five stat

Cardinal P ter Erd of Hungary as the relator for the Oct 5-19 Synod of Bishops on the Family opened this historic discussion nbsp in Rome on Oct 6 with a presentation that seemed intended to lower expectations on the eventual outcome of the synod in 2015 while holding out a few strands of hop

This week the church rsquo s Extraordinary Synod on the Family begins its deliberations on ldquo the pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization rdquo nbsp Coincidentally the weekend also saw the opening of ldquo Gone Girl rdquo one of the most provocative and disturbi

ldquo Synod Assemblies are not meant to discuss beautiful and clever ideas or to see who is more intelligent rdquo Pope Francis told the 191 synod fathers from all continents gathered with him in St Peter rsquo s Basilica as they concelebrated mass on Sunday morning October 5 for the opening o

Sometime ago as I stood at the back of a parish church following Mass greeting members of the parish a family approached and its youngest member a boy of about 5 asked me ldquo Why do you call us brothers and sisters You rsquo re not my brother rdquo I said to him ldquo There is a sense in

Speaking at a candlelight prayer vigil in St Peter rsquo s Square on the eve of the opening of the synod of bishops on the family Pope Francis made clear that he wants lsquo the synod fathers rsquo to listen attentively to God and to the cry of the people and to keep their sights fixed firmly on

Another famous Old Testament story that has captured the interest of Hollywood.

The California Catholic Conference has filed a federal civil rights complaint protesting a state ruling mandating the inclusion of voluntary direct abortion -- including gender selection and late-term abortion -- in California health insurance policies."This is a coercive and discriminatory act

The author of a controversial proposal to make it easier for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion says he believes Pope Francis backs the measure but would not apply it without support from bishops at two upcoming synods on the family."I had the impression the pope is o

The "freedom of expression" that characterized preparations for the Synod of Bishops on the family—especially in responses to a Vatican questionnaire—"will also characterize the synod assembly, which certainly will take place in a climate of respect for every position, mut

Faith community looks at money, power and public policy

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship organizations in the massive 23 campus 450 000 student California State University system have been brought under new rules by which many of them may be ldquo de-recognized rdquo as official student groups The change comes as a result of the C S U rsquo s 2011

ldquo A broad freedom of expression rdquo in ldquo a climate of respect for every position mutual charity and an authentic constructive sense rdquo will be the hallmarks of the extraordinary synod of bishops on the family that opens on October 5 nbsp Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri the Secretary

Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a two-part series. We asked two prominent members of Congress, both Catholics with famous names, to respond to Pope Francis’ repeated calls to empower the poor. The first response, by Congressman Paul Ryan, Republican of Wisconsin, appeared on

America asked two prominent members of Congress both Catholics with famous names to respond to nbsp Pope Francis rsquo repeated calls to empower the poor Paul Ryan nbsp the Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee is an eight-term member of Congress from Wisconsin rsquo s 1st Congressi

A reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Rev. Terrance Klein.

Fr William B Neenan SJ the beloved Boston College Jesuit who died last summer was known for many things including a list of book titles he annually compiled that became known as The Dean 39 s List of Recommended Reading Long cherished among BC students and faculty the Boston College Chronic

These comments were delivered by James Alison for "The Ways of Love,” an international conference towards pastoral care with homosexual and trans people, held in Rome on October 3, 2014 in advance of the Synod of Bishops on the Family.I’d like to ask you to join me as we imagine our