Since Pope Francis announced a meeting of bishops on the Amazon two years ago, talk in the media and among some of the key organizers, such as Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, has been dominated by the possibility of ordaining married men as priests to serve isolated rural communities.
As the global Catholic Church turns its attention to the plight of indigenous people in the Amazon, a number of American groups have issued statements offering stark contrasts on the region.
Describing the Amazon rainforest as “vital for our planet,” Pope Francis joined the regions bishops in praying for action to extinguish the massive fires burning there.
Describing the Amazon rainforest as “vital for our planet,” Pope Francis joined the regions bishops in praying for action to extinguish the massive fires burning there.
As fires ravage the Amazon rainforests, with few exceptions, U.S. Catholic leaders have yet to weigh in on what many world leaders are calling a potential global environmental disaster.
Whenever he’s been approached about the issue, Pope Francis is clear that priestly celibacy is not up for grabs, despite the fact that it is a discipline and not doctrine.
