FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis talks with Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, as he leaves a session of the synod at the Vatican Oct. 24.

Synod had difficult moments as it tried to proclaim truth, Pope says

By

VATICAN CITY - The first task of the Catholic Church "is not to hand down condemnations or anathemas, but to proclaim the mercy of God," Pope Francis told members of the Synod of Bishops on the family.

Pope Francis waves as he leaves a session of the Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 24.

Synod report urges 'accompaniment' tailored to family situations

By

VATICAN CITY - While not specifically mentioning the controversial proposal of a path toward full reconciliation and Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried, members of the Synod of Bishops on the family handed Pope Francis a report emphasizing an obligation to recognize that not all Catholics in such a situation bear the same amount of blame.

October 23, 2015

Times change and Christians must change continually

Pope Francis said on Friday (23rd October) that the times are changing and we Christians must change continually, freely but within the truth of the faith. He urged Christians to look at the signs of the times and warned them against succumbing to the comfort of conformity. The Pope’s remarks came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated at the Santa Marta residence.

Pope Francis participates in prayer at the start of a session of the Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 23.

Pope establishes new dicastery for laity, family, life

By

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis announced he is establishing a new office for laity, family and life, which combines the responsibilities of two pontifical councils.

Women fear their voices will be sidelined in Catholic synod’s final report

Women fear their voices will be sidelined in Catholic synod’s final report

By

VATICAN CITY - The rows of seats in the Synod hall, where Catholic bishops are meeting to discuss family issues, are filled with bishops and cardinals — all male. To find any women, look to the back of the room.

Pope Francis outlined his vision for how the entire church must be "synodal" with everyone listening to each other, learning from each other and taking responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel.

Final report to be a general guide, not hard answers, says cardinal

By

VATICAN CITY - After nearly three weeks of intense discussion and debate, the Synod of Bishop's final document on the family was not expected to have any hard-hitting answers, a member of the drafting commission said.

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Oct. 17.

Apologies and processes: Synod groups end with varied offerings

By

VATICAN CITY - Two of the 13 final small-group reports of the Synod of Bishops for the family contained apologies: one for ways in which a lack of pastoral care may have contributed to the breakdown of marriages and one for "harsh and merciless" attitudes toward unwed mothers and their children, the divorced and homosexuals.

Cheryl Thompson, organizer of the Sanctifying Families conference, spoke on the example of Louis and Zélie Martin at a conference that honoured newly canonized saints Zélie and Louis Martin

New saints role models to family

By

OTTAWA - On the eve of Zélie and Louis Martin’s canonization Oct. 18, Ottawa parents, some already devoted to the new saints, took part in a conference on sanctifying families.

October 22, 2015

Our effort opens the door to the Holy Spirit

The efforts of Christians are aimed at opening the door of the heart to the Holy Spirit. That was the message of Pope Francis during morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday. The Pope emphasized that conversion, for the Christian, a daily task that leads us to the encounter with Jesus. As an example of this, Francis told the story of a mother suffering from cancer, who gives her all to overcome the illness.

Vatican urges UN to seek equitable sharing of space technology

Vatican urges UN to seek equitable sharing of space technology

By

UNITED NATIONS - The information and services that space technology provides must be shared as much as possible by the countries of the world to reduce the risk that economic and social inequalities will widen, a Vatican official told the United Nations.

Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto and Australian Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, talk after an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Oct. 17.

A look inside the Synod hall

By

Inside the Synod hall, things look very different from media reports about conservatives debating liberals over communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, said theologian and Synod auditor Moira McQueen.

Claims Pope has tumour 'entirely unfounded'

Claims Pope has tumour 'entirely unfounded'

By

VATICAN CITY - Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said an Italian newspaper's claims about the Pope's health were "entirely unfounded."

Discourage mixed marriages, women accepting abuse, some say at Synod

Discourage mixed marriages, women accepting abuse, some say at Synod

By

VATICAN CITY - Observers told the Synod of Bishops on the Family to discourage Christian women from marrying Muslim men, urge priests not to tell women to return to abusive husbands, share the truth of Church teaching about marriage and embrace single mothers who are alienated from the Church.

Page 178 of 263