While a juridical process is necessary for making accurate judgments, the Catholic Church’s marriage annulment process must be quicker, cheaper and much more of a pastoral ministry, Pope Francis has said this week.
Like their Orthodox brothers and sisters, Catholics will formally mark next Tuesday, 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Francis has decided.
Earlier this year, Chief Rabbi of Western Australia, Rabbi Dovid Freilich, travelled to Israel for a four-day International meeting of rabbis, cardinals and bishops organised by the founders of the Neocatechumenal Way, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust.
Selfishness and fear keep too many people ignorant of the suffering of others and prevent them from finding creative ways to express solidarity and to promote peace, said a recent statement from the Vatican’s justice and peace office.
The head of the US bishops’ pro-life committee has this week urged US senators to take the federal money that goes to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and instead fund women’s health care providers that do not promote abortion.
Pope Francis commended the fruits of his recent apostolic trip in Latin America to Our Lady of Guadalupe during last weekend’s Sunday Angelus, as he thanked the people of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay for their warm and affectionate welcome, and for their enthusiasm.
Pope Francis was as close to home as he has been since becoming Pope in March 2013 when he celebrated Mass at Paraguay’s popular shrine of Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupe.
Even if a pastoral proposal for helping a Catholic family with problems seems scandalous at first, it is possible God could use that proposal to bring healing and holiness, Pope Francis has said this week.
In light of the June 26 United States Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage constitutional in all states of the US, here is a sampling of reaction collected this week by Catholic News Service.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, was among 46 prelates from around the world who concelebrated a special Mass in their honour with Pope Francis in Rome this week.
The Church wants pastors who are unafraid of persecution, are angels of hope and charity, and convincing witnesses with a life rooted in prayer and the Gospel, Pope Francis told the new archbishops.