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.
synod
Delving Beneath the Surface at the Synod
ROME. SINCE POPE Francis announced that two Synods would examine the contemporary crisis of marriage and the family, and work to devise more evangelically dynamic responses to that crisis, a lot of attention has focused on issues of Catholic discipline: How does the Church determine that a marriage never existed, and thus grant a decree of nullity? What is to be done about the sacramental situation of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics? How does the Church best prepare its sons and daughters for marriage?
The Issue Beneath the Issue at the Synod
A brilliant article by a German Catholic philosopher, Professor Thomas Stark, suggests that an argument beneath the argument may be afoot in the controversies that will be aired at the Synod of Bishops in October.
Talk at Synod Is Frank
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis opened the first working session of an extraordinary Synod of Bishops Oct. 6, urging participants to speak fearlessly and listen humbly during two weeks of discussion of the “pastoral challenges of the family.”
Saints in the Family
Last Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated the opening Mass for the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the topic of the family. Before the liturgy began, the Holy Father stopped and did something extraordinary – he venerated the relics of a family of saints.
Q&A About Upcoming Synod of World Bishops
Here are some frequently asked questions about the extraordinary synod of bishops and the answers: Q. When and where is it? A. Oct. 5-19, 2014, Vatican City Q. What is this? A. The synod is a meeting of Pope Francis, bishops, clergy and laypeople. Q. What is its purpose? A. Pope Francis has written […]
Synod on Family Will Deal With Divorce, Remarriage
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The predicament of divorced and remarried Catholics will be a major topic of discussion when bishops from around the world meet at the Vatican in October, 2014. The Vatican announced Oct. 8 that an extraordinary session of the Synod of Bishops will meet Oct. 5-19, 2014, to discuss the “pastoral challenges […]
Largest Ever Number of Women to Advise Synod
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Choosing men and women from every part of the world and from a wide variety of professions, Pope Benedict XVI nominated 45 experts and 49 observers for the upcoming world assembly of bishops. The Oct. 7-28 gathering will include the largest bloc of women — 10 experts and 19 observers — […]