When Catholic same-sex couples seek a blessing from a priest, it often flows from a deep faith in God.

The Catholic Church is called to be an instrument of communion, Anna Rowlands told synod participants. But it requires grace and “learning to ‘bear with’ reality, gently, generously, lovingly and courageously.“

Before the Rev. James Martin, S.J., set off for the Synod on Synodality currently underway at the Vatican, he shared with “Preach” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., some of his insights for preaching the message of the synod in parishes.

The synod on synodality is not geared to “resolve particular problems” in the Catholic Church, such as the blessing of same-sex unions or women’s ordination, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa, Congo, said.

A tragic fire reminds us that sometimes the aftershocks of war feel even more cruel than war itself.

In 'Laudate Deum,' Pope Francis takes direct aim at the failure of human action on climate change on the global level.