Catholic clergy from Egypt have warned that ties with Orthodox and Islamic leaders are being derailed by a Vatican decision to allow the blessing of same-sex couples.

“I do not think that the present anxiety about recognizing the ‘gay’ Catholic is unlike the first-century anxiety regarding the Gentiles becoming Christians,” Jesuit moral theologian James F. Keenan writes.

The ruckus over the pope’s comments once again put the Vatican’s diplomatic corps in the position of having to smooth over Francis’ informal, off-the-cuff way of speaking.

The “Preach” team sought the expertise of two esteemed liturgical scholars and practitioners, Kim Harris and John Baldovin, S.J., to give preachers a whistle-stop tour of the readings and liturgies for this sacred week.

Observing Ramadan, a sacred time of fasting in the Islamic world, heightens my awareness of the afflictions that so many are forced to endure and the ways our world still needs healing.