Last Sunday was the last day of the Synod on the Families at the Vatican. Now we as the Church are awaiting the Pope Francis’ response to the document prepared by the Synod Fathers. As we read the “Relatio” prepared by the Bishops for the Holy Father, we are reminded of several things. The first is that this is not a contest, not a battle between “conservatives” and “progressives.” As we have stated previously, the synod was a dialogue between good people, with good intentions, about good things.
Editorials
Walking Together
This past week, some in both the religious and the secular press, began reporting about the massive divide along ideological lines that exists between the American bishops attending the 2015 Extraordinary Synod on the Family.
Together at the Synod
Saint Paul the Apostle exhorts us: “Be firmly grounded in the faith.” The great 20th century apologist, Msgr. Ronald Knox, wrote a book entitled “Enthusiasm.” He contended that, at the root of all heresies, lies one thing – enthusiasm, and, by this phrase, Knox meant the over-emphasis of one aspect over any and all aspects of the faith.
Constancy of Marriage
Abraham Lincoln once asked, “If you call a dog’s tail a leg, how many legs does a dog have?” “Five,” people would answer. “No,” Lincoln would state, “the correct answer is four.” Calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg. The same is true for marriage.
Safe and Sound
Papal trips do not happen by accident. The great success of Pope Francis’ journey to Cuba and America only succeeded because of a lot of advance planning and intense security. We salute the members of the New York Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and the Swiss Guard for the attention paid to detail in protecting the Holy Father, while at the same time making him accessible to millions of people in such a short time span.
All About Family
As we look back on the Holy Father’s Apostolic visit to the United States, we can reflect, with some clarity, as to what the pope said and did during his time with us. Some were overjoyed at the pope’s speech to Congress; others felt it was a missed opportunity to speak more explicitly against the evil of abortion and against same-sex marriage. Some were thrilled that he explicitly mentioned his opposition to the death penalty; still others wanted him to be more specific on issues that Catholics in America have to face.
A Pope of Hope
As we go to press, the focus of Pope Francis’ apostolic voyage to America has been on the first leg of the journey – his four day stop in Cuba. Historic and inspirational are just two of the adjectives to describe what we have seen thus far. Don’t underestimate the importance of this trip, not […]
Opportunity to Dialogue
Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. offers us an opportunity to reflect on the key role that not only do our primary and secondary schools serve in the passing on of faith, but also the major impact that the Catholic colleges and universities have in the Christian education and formation of our people.
Following Conscience
The situation in Rowan County, Ky., is a difficult one, to say the least. The law of the land is that same-sex couples can be issued civil marriage licenses. County clerk Kim Davis, a born-again Christian, refused to comply with the civil law by issuing these licenses to same-sex partners, citing that it would cause her to violate her conscience as a Christian. She was sent to jail, a martyr-hero to some and a homophobe bigot to others.
Save Your Marriage
A study was conducted and reported in several media outlets that fighting with one’s spouse can cause one to grow in obesity. If nothing else can prevent married couples from seriously arguing, then perhaps the threat of gaining weight can loom large in minds as a preventative measure.