Following the latest incident of gun violence in America, Pope Francis has sent his condolences to the victims of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting in Texas, saying he is “deeply grieved” by the “senseless violence.” On Sunday, a 26-year old gunman entered into a Baptist Church and killed 26 people during the service. The tragedy has prompted Catholic bishops from around the United States to speak out against gun violence.
During a week in which the U.S. bishops issued a statement expressing loyalty to Pope Francis and encouraging greater charity in dialogue, the Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. praised the pope’s “spirituality of synodality and discernment” and argued for greater unity in the Church.
Dear Editor: In August, reader Ed Moffitt projected his feelings of being troubled by what our Pope Francis has publicly stated about the President and building the wall. Pope Francis’ view is public opposition of our president who wants to keep our country safe from harm; his primary duty as president.
One perk that comes with floating aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is NASA arranges for occasional calls with celebrities to keep the astronauts’ spirits high during their monthslong flights.
In an interview with The Tablet, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego spoke of how he believes local solutions are necessary to combat the poison of partisanship which has contributed to a “cancer in our Church.” One such measure to combat this is the initiation of a local synod within his diocese to focus on hearing the real life needs of Catholics and providing concrete responses.
As Bishop Gerald Kicanas prepares to hand over the reigns of the diocese of Tucson, Arizona next month, he looks back on his 51 years as a priest and a Church that has dramatically changed since he was first ordained. In an interview with The Tablet, Kicanas laments the current polarization in the Church and says he hopes to see more “Francis-like actions” by the U.S. bishops.
In an exclusive interview with The Tablet, Hong Kong’s new bishop spoke of how he is focusing on pastoral matters over political concerns. Bishop Yeung says he devoting attention to young people, the elderly, and building social solidarity, rather than emphasizing political disagreement with the government.
Pope Francis’ @Pontifex Twitter accounts reached more than 40 million followers just a few months before the fifth anniversary of when Pope Benedict XVI launched the initiative.
The death penalty, no matter how it is carried out, “is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel,” Pope Francis said.
On Friday, Pope Francis sent a telegram expressing his solidarity with the victims of the California wildfires which have killed over 30 individuals. In his telegram sent via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis offered prayers for the “tragic loss of life and the destruction of property.”
