Nicolás de Cárdenas In his acceptance speech for the honorary doctorate awarded him by the Catholic University of Valencia, Cardinal Kurt Koch rejected the extreme positions of progressives and traditionalists regarding the Second Vatican Council. The prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity reflected in his address on the tension between the two…
Category: Synodal Times
Pope leads global summit on defending children’s rights
Pope Francis on Monday hosted an international summit on the rights of the child, lamenting the millions who daily endure war, poverty, abuse, exploitation, depression and a lack of hope for the future. The February 3 summit, held in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and titled, ‘Love them and protect them’, featured…
Polka dancing, Hershey’s Kisses and novenas for World Marriage Day in US
Zoey Maraist A sea of heart-shaped cards, candy and decor reminds couples that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. But at the same time, many Catholic parishes are preparing to celebrate a related but different memorial to love – World Marriage Day. The holiday began in Baton Rouge in 1981 when marriage enthusiasts declared…
First Italian diocese presents abuse study
Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone demonstrates ‘courage to look, courage to act’ Sabine Kleyboldt (KNA) It was the first time that he had quoted a Pope when presenting a study on abuse, said lawyer Ulrich Wastl on Monday: Francis had said on sexualised violence that “every single case is one too many” for the Church. Words…
Daring to hope in Syria
Caritas Italiana worker in Aleppo and member of the Focolare movement Davide Chiarot spoke to The Synodal Times Syria is experiencing a momentous moment. It is normal for the whole world to wonder about its future, whether it will be truly democratic and pluralist as the new leaders claim, or whether, as in the…
Ten pastoral reforms submitted to the synodal discussions by the Wijngaards Institute
In tribute to John Wijngaards. who died last week, we republish this piece, still timely, written by him in January, 2023. Rest in Peace. As an 87 year-old Catholic priest and theologian I have worked for the Church for most of my life. Experience has taught me that old Mother Church needs to adopt…
For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Second Session, October 2-27 2024
A commentary by Jon Rosebank Practised with humility,” write the bishops in their final document from the 2024 Assembly (47), “the synodal style enables the Church to be a prophetic voice in today’s world.” We live, they write, “in an age marked by ever-increasing inequalities” and by “disenchantment with the functioning of democracy.” Students of…
When the Pope wanted a woman to talk to him and the cardinals, he chose Sr Pocher
Luca Attanasio speaks with the theologian and lecturer “The Church is a woman,’ Pope Francis had said exactly one year ago in his audience to members of the International Theological Commission. “And one of the great sins we have had,” he had added, “is ‘masculinising’ the Church. In a concrete attempt to reduce the prevailing…
Archbishop Scicluna says synod discussions need to be clear
KNA Archbishop Scicluna of Malta has warned against using the methods of the World Synod’s spiritual dialogue – an alternation of speaking and meditation without direct discussion – everywhere in the Church: “If, for example, I have to deal with financial experts for the audit of the Archdiocese of Malta, I don’t need to have…
Myanmar Church can be helped with Synodality, Japanese cardinal-elect says
Letter from Asia Nirmala Carvalho (CRUX) According to Japanese Cardinal-elect Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, the political situation in Myanmar “is still not stable,” when marking Myanmar Day on November 17. Bishop Celso Ba Shwe of Loikaw was present at the event. He had to abandon his cathedral in Kayah State due to the fighting…