Ten years ago on the flight back from his first World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis spoke these five simple words that reverberated around the world: “Who am I to judge?”
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: MAGIS, the Jesuits’ World Youth Day celebration
The Jesuits will begin their pre-World Youth Day program this Saturday with the start of MAGIS 2023, which will bring about 2,000 young people from 82 countries connected with the Society of Jesus to Lisbon.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Same-sex blessing, the ‘kissing book’ and abuse: Why Pope Francis’ new head of doctrine is already causing controversy
Archbishop Fernández’s appointment has been met with criticisms focusing on a book he wrote about kissing, his handling of sexual abuse and comments he made expressing an openness to blessing gay and lesbian couples.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
The most important takeaway from the synod (so far) is something you’ve never heard of
News reports, to the chagrin of the synod office, have focused primarily on the questions of the ordination of married men and women deacons—questions on which it invites discussion but makes no recommendations.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Two U.S. bishops were recently subject to Vatican visitations. What do these interventions mean?
Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tenn., and Bishop Joseph Strickland, of Tyler, Tex., have both been subject to apostolic visitations recently. Here’s what we do (and don’t) know about the Vatican interventions.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
The controversial history of the U.S. bishops’ Catholic health care guidelines
With rapid advances in medicine and sweeping changes in the U.S. health care landscape, some are suggesting that the U.S. bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services needs a complete overhaul.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Timeline: What we know about former Jesuit Marko Rupnik’s alleged abuse—and the questions that remain
There are deep questions that still need attention to understand how Father Rupnik’s abuses went unchecked for nearly three decades and to determine what further systemic reforms beyond his dismissal are necessary.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Everything you need to know about getting married in the Catholic Church
Things to know before you get engaged; things to know if one of you is divorced; and things to know about the process of preparing your wedding with the church.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
When bishops attack: How Pope Francis handles his critics
Bishop Joseph Strickland recently accused Pope Francis of “undermining the Deposit of Faith.” It remains unknown whether Francis will publicly respond but past cases provide a clue of how the pope will approach this latest challenge.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Pope Francis said the papacy is ‘for life.’ Does that mean he should never resign?
Catholic experts weigh in on the likelihood of Pope Francis resigning in office—and whether we need a 25th amendment for popes.