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.
Synod on the Amazon
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Inside the relaxed atmosphere of the Amazon synod
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” the hosts explain how the Amazon synod is different from previous synods.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
The unique challenges missionaries face in the Amazon
According to priests and women religious who have worked in the Amazon for decades, the particularities of the Catholic mission in the region—especially the lack of clergy to attend to thousands of geographically isolated communities—has led them to make hard choices.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Indigenous woman brings message from her elders to Pope Francis as church elder
Anitalia Pijachi, an indigenous woman from the Amazonian town of Leticia, Colombia, came to the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon bringing a message from the elders of her people to Pope Francis, an elder of the Catholic Church.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Amazon Synod Weekly Roundup: Calls for ecological protection and new ministries for women
Participants expressed support for proposals to ordain women deacons and warned of the deadly consequences of climate change.
Posted inFaith, News
Women religious should have vote at synod, theologian says
Sister Birgit Weiler told journalists on Oct. 11 that such changes would allow the church to become “a community of sisters and brothers, sharing faith, discerning together.”
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Here’s what happened on day four of the Amazon Synod.
On day four of the synod, the small language groups have begun to meet, signaling the moment in the synod process when “in a synodal way, everyone gives their contribution.”
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Amazon Synod looks at indigenous ‘theology of creation’
“Our Christian faith and the church teach us to seek and to find God in all things, as St. Ignatius says in the Spiritual Exercises. There is no pantheism in this.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Possibility of women deacons proposed on day three of the Amazon Synod
Bishop Kräutler said there are thousands of indigenous communities in the Amazon that “do not celebrate the Eucharist except perhaps one, two or three times a year.” The bishops in favor of ordaining married men, he said, “are not against celibacy. We just want these brothers and sisters of ours not to have just a celebration of the word but also the celebration of the Eucharist.”
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Francis and Benedict stress loyalty in messages to new cardinals
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry explains how Pope Francis’ and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s message of loyalty was received.