The Synod of Bishops for the Amazon is not a “referendum” on priestly celibacy; it is looking for ways to provide for the sacramental life and formation of the people there, U.S. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston said.
Bishops
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis appoints U.S. archbishop to head Vatican’s school for diplomats
Archbishop Marino comes to his new post with considerable diplomatic experience in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, including 11 years of service in three majority-Muslim states and seven years working in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Louisville church reaffirms its status as a sanctuary parish
St. William Church in Louisville reaffirmed its status as a sanctuary parish at a news conference on the steps of the church Oct. 8.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Africa’s bishops should set up anti-trafficking offices, says coalition
All bishops’ conferences and dioceses in Africa should create an office or point person to collaborate with judges, immigration departments and law enforcement to beef up efforts against human trafficking, said delegates to a regional conference.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Cardinal Sarah: To oppose the pope is to be outside the church
Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, said the people who portray him as an opponent of Pope Francis are being used by the devil to help divide the church.
Posted inFaith, News
Synod members call for greater role of women and laity in ministry
Proposals in the Oct. 8 morning session of the Synod included discussing the “possibility of diaconal ordination for women, so as to emphasize their ecclesial vocation.”
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Haitian bishops’ justice and peace commission calls on president to step down
The Haitian bishops’ justice and peace commission said that “a change in head of state is crucial as is a change in the way the authorities govern the country.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Hundreds of accused priests are living with no oversight from church or civil authorities
Almost 1,700 priests and other clergy members that the Roman Catholic Church considers credibly accused of child sexual abuse are living under the radar with little to no oversight from religious authorities or law enforcement.
Posted inFaith, News
In an act of Christian love, a murder victim’s brother publicly forgives his killer in court
A Dallas bishop said that the public forgiveness offered by the brother of a murder victim toward the person who killed him was “an incredible example of Christian love.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
5 bishops spent a week visiting migrants at the border—and they’re worried.
In anticipation of the 2019 World Day for Migrants and Refugees, a group of bishops, women religious, lay ministers and others interested in the plight of migrants spent the days prior to the Sept. 29 observance listening to tales of hope, dashed dreams, resilience and uncertainty that are in abundance among migrants in this border region.