VATICAN CITY (CNS) – With so much spiritual, social and moral suffering in the world, the Church has “no right” to stay locked up in an ivory tower, engaging in “byzantine” philosophical reflection, Pope Francis told members of the Focolare movement.
Two weeks before the start of an extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family, the Vatican announced the formation of a special commission to reform the process of granting marriage annulments.
TIRANA, Albania (CNS) – In a world “where an authentic religious spirit is being perverted and where religious differences are being distorted and exploited,” Albania is an “aspiring example” to everyone that peaceful coexistence is possible, Pope Francis said during a one-day visit to the country Sept. 21.
The reaction of the majority of the press demonstrates once again the lack of understanding of the nature of the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church.
In the days that followed Pope Francis’ Aug. 18 remarks on U.S. airstrikes earlier in the month against Islamic State, the buzz was about whether the pope had actually given his consent to them.
The prospects of Pope Francis visiting China are not very good, say experts who closely follow the church in China.
Sixth in a series
One of the unfortunate occurrences of the last 30 years is that a growing distance seems to have grown between some Catholic theologians and some members of the Catholic hierarchy.
In the fifth part of his series, Father Robert Lauder takes a closer look at “The Joy of the Gospel” and Pope Francis’s suggestion that some people want to avoid the social dimension of the Gospel.
One of the dangers of a “sterile” form of celibacy is bitterness and gossip, Pope Francis said July 26 during a meeting with 123 priests working in the Diocese of Caserta and 19 bishops from Italy’s Campania region.
When Pope Francis travels to South Korea, Aug. 14-18, he is ready to find a Catholic Church that exemplifies much of what he hopes for the Church around the world, including a highly active laity.
