The president of the German bishops’ conference has expressed his belief that Church teaching needs further development, in response to critique of the synodal path in that country. The statement came in the latest instance of epistolary exchange between Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg and Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver. “Our Church needs change in…
Exclusive A number of Irish bishops have engaged in a listening process with gay and lesbian Catholics as part of the synodal process, The Irish Catholic can reveal. It follows commitments from the organisers of the Irish synod – which aims to hear from diverse voices about the future direction of the Church – that what they…
The leaders of religious orders around the world are taking very seriously not only preparations for the Synod of Bishops assembly in 2023, but the whole idea of making the Church more ‘synodal’ – a place where everyone is called to prayer, discernment and responsibility for the Church and its mission. More than 500 leaders…
The Church in Ireland will continue to shrink, the new Bishop of Galway has predicted, but with the help of young people engaging with the synodal process can be renewed afresh. Bishop Michael Duignan was speaking as he took on the leadership of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora in addition to remaining as Bishop of Clonfert.…
The Sunday Gospel The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called Vocations Sunday, and each year the Gospel is about Christ the Good Shepherd and the flock of his followers. Today’s reading is short enough to quote it in full. “Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow…
Michael Kelly in Rome As the Church in Ireland continues the process of bishops, priests and laypeople working together to chart the future, Pope Francis has pleaded for Irish Catholics not to cling to past ways of doing things. He was speaking in unscripted remarks after receiving a group of Irish people involved in Catholic…
Plea for Catholic schools to foster peace Michael Kelly in Rome Pope Francis has urged Catholic schools in Ireland to form students to work for mutual coexistence and peace in a fractured world. The Pontiff took time out of his busy Easter Week schedule to meet with representatives from the Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education…
The very mixed emotions experienced by priests in pastoral ministry as they deal with the ups and downs of their parishioners often leads to a wry, even black humour. Behind it often lies a deeper message. I remember a priest saying to me once of another cleric: “oh, he doesn’t suffer from depression – but…
The diocese of Down and Connor hosted a ‘Fish on Friday’ gathering in Stormont with people from parishes and other churches and organisations to encourage a synodal dialogue. Participants came together April 8 to enjoy fish and chips and a cup of tea, and to talk together “about the mobilising the Church as a force…
The Church in Germany’s synodal pathway is the biggest threat to Church unity since the Reformation, writes David Quinn The Catholic Church in Germany has embarked on what it calls a ‘synodal pathway’ to re-examine teachings and practices of the Church in light of the abuse scandals. But the path it appears to wish to…
Michael Kelly
David Quinn