Faith
Vatican security chief resigns following leak of internal document
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Domenico Giani, head of the Vatican police, nearly two weeks after an internal security notice was leaked to the Italian press.
Protests in Ecuador draw eyes of synod participants
By Barbara J. Fraser, Catholic News ServiceROME -- Ecuadorian observers at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon are keeping an eye on massive protests that have claimed the lives of five people in their country.
Synod looks at indigenous 'theology of creation'
By Barbara J. Fraser, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- By demanding respect for the cultures of indigenous peoples, Pope Francis was not promoting pantheism, but -- tapping into his Jesuit roots -- urging respect for a worldview that sees God in all things.
Bishop highlights need for lay ministries in Amazon
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Lay men and women involved in ministry have been fundamental in spreading the Gospel and furthering the Catholic Church's mission in the Amazon, a Brazilian bishop said.
Most Amazon bishops support 'viri probati,' women deacons
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Most bishops who lead dioceses in the Amazon support the ordination of married men of proven virtue, or "viri probati," as a way of addressing the lack of priests in the region, a Brazilian bishop said.
Synod participants: Catholics must recognize 'ecological sins'
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Synod members called for the Catholic Church to deepen its theology in a way that would help people recognize "ecological sins."
Synod participants call for greater role of women in ministry
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Synod participants offered several proposals to address the lack of priests in the Amazon region, including revising the formation program for candidates to the priesthood and instituting new ministries for lay men and women.
First synod talks focused on climate, priests, inculturation
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Climate change, water resources, inculturation and indigenous practices were among the topics discussed during the first afternoon session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.
Synod speakers praise diversity brought by indigenous
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- People in Western countries need to see the different cultural expressions of faith that exist in other parts of the world, said some participants at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.
Cardinal Hummes introduces synod topics: Don't fear what is new
By Barbara J. Fraser, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- With its mandate to seek "new pathways for the church and for an integral ecology," the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon follows Pope Francis' call for the church to move forward without fear, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes told participants.
Cardinal Baldisseri explains how Amazon synod works
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- While the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon is focused on one small, but important geographical area, the issues involved impact the universal Catholic Church, said Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.