Organizers of Pope Francis’ ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality announced March 14 that 10 different working groups had been formed in the Roman Curia to address specific topics that came out of last year’s session.
Synod of Bishops on Synodality
Bishop Barron Criticizes Synod Report’s Suggestion Scientific Advances Could Shift Church Morality Teaching
Bishop Robert E. Barron said he is in “frank disagreement” with a section of a report from the Synod on Synodality indicating that scientific advances could prompt “rethinking” of the church’s teaching on sexual morality.
US Synod Members Insist: No Rift With Pope, No Doctrinal Revolution
Almost a month after the close of Pope Francis’ Oct. 4-29 Synod of Bishops on synodality, Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego says the power and depth of the conversations over the month in Rome struck him, as well as the challenge of replicating that atmosphere back home.
Pope Confirms Trip for UN Climate Summit, Calls Synod of Bishops ‘Positive’
In a wide-ranging new interview, Pope Francis confirmed plans to visit Dubai for a U.N. climate summit in early December, addressed current global conflicts, and weighed in on several hot-button issues touched on during last month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality, including women’s ordination and priestly celibacy.
Pope Closes Synod Urging Detachment From ‘Personal Agendas’
Pope Francis closed this month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality on Oct. 29 by telling participants that the process is not yet over, and urging them to prioritize love of God and others, things he said would free them from selfishness and attachment to personal agendas.
Synod Members Deny ‘Authentic Divisions,’ but Acknowledge Missing Voices
Participants in Pope Francis’ Synod of Bishops on Synodality have reiterated that there are no hostile divisions in the process despite differences of opinion, while also calling for a greater participation of women in leadership and for stronger ecumenical efforts to be made.
USCCB President Talks About His Synod Experience
Welcoming people into the church and helping them enter a relationship with Jesus always involves a call to conversion, said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
As Pope Meets LGBTQ+ Advocate, Prelate Credits Him for ‘Personal Conversion’
Archbishop Zbigņev Stankevičs of Riga, Latvia, a participant in this month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality, has said homosexuals are called to live in chastity in accord with Church teaching, but credited Pope Francis for what he called his own “personal conversion” on the issue, becoming less judgmental.
Synod Participants Claim ‘No Polarization’ on Women, LGBTQ+ Issues
Participants in Pope Francis’ ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality said Wednesday that Church doctrine is not up for discussion on issues such as women and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics, and that while opinions on these topics may differ, there is no “polarization.”
Pope Urges Synod of Bishops Not to ‘Barricade Itself Behind Preconceived Notions’
In his opening Mass for the keenly anticipated Synod of Bishops on Synodality, Pope Francis said modern global challenges require the Church to be a warm and welcoming presence, free of the politicking, ideology, and “rigidity” that he said have divided much of the world.