Category Archives: Vatican

Doctrine, Vatican

Germanicus – a look at the German position

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incaelo's avatarIn Caelo et in Terra

It’s safe to say that the German Synod fathers are scrutinised more heavily by Catholic media than others, and not always fairly, in my opinion. I already mentioned my own misgivings about what Archbishop Koch said in his intervention, but that’s not even remotely the same as accusing him of apostasy and heresy, as some have done. He has a clear understanding about the reality of Catholic life in Germany (which does not differ too much from that in other Protestant/secular parts of Northwestern Europe, and the picture he paints is one we should take seriously.

synod german circle

^A glimpse of the small windowless room where the German circle, the smallest of all thirteen groups, was to meet initially. Cardinal Müller soon invited the group to relocate to the roomier and less stuffy offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Today, the reports from the Circoli minori, the smaller…

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Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Circuli Minori – families are not alien to us

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Vatican City, 9 October 2015 (VIS) – This morning, during the fourth General Congregation, the various Circuli Minori – thirteen in total – presented the results of their reflections on the first part of the Instrumentum Laboris examining the mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world. Continue reading Circuli Minori – families are not alien to us →

Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Faith, like love, grows day by day

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Vatican City, 9 October 2015 (VIS) – His Beatitude Louis Raphael I Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and head of the Synod of the Chaldean Church offered a meditation during this morning’s prayer before the resumption of the work of the Synod. The Patriarch commented on the reading from St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans, emphasising the apostle’s wish to visit and bring the Gospel to the Christian community in Rome. In this way he affirmed that “living the faith in communion brings consolation”.

Continue reading Faith, like love, grows day by day →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Synod Terce Prayer: Appeal for peace in the Middle East and Africa

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Vatican City, 9 October 2015 (VIS). The Pope exhorted bishops to dedicate the Terce prayer “to the intention of reconciliation and peace in the Middle East”, as he opened the fourth General Congregation of the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Vatican City this morning. The Pope also launched an appeal to the international community to find a way of resolving current conflicts, and finally urged the bishops to include in their prayer all those zones in Africa that are experiencing similar situations of conflict.
Continue reading Synod Terce Prayer: Appeal for peace in the Middle East and Africa →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, U.S., Vatican, World Organisations

A gay Catholic activist hopes for a softer tone and a merciful attitude

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Francis DeBernardo and Sister Jeannine Gramick of New Ways Ministry at the White House welcome event for Pope Francis last month. (New Ways Ministry blog)

By Michael O’Loughlin National reporter October 9, 2015

As 270 Catholic bishops from around the world debate issues related to the family inside the Vatican’s Synod Hall from Oct. 4-25, activists, advocacy groups, and ordinary people with a cause to promote or a question to raise have descended on Rome to be active on the sidelines of the event, representing views across the spectrum. Crux is offering periodic snapshots of this “synod outside the synod,” profiling people and their causes.

ROME — Even as the Western world increasingly accepts same-sex marriage and moves on to other battles in the culture wars, the Catholic Church remains steadfast in its conviction that marriage is, and will always be, the union of one man and one woman. Continue reading A gay Catholic activist hopes for a softer tone and a merciful attitude →

Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Cardinal Nichols urges Synod on Family to focus on joy

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2015-10-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The work of the Synod of Bishops on the Family continued behind closed doors on Thursday as participants shared ideas and experiences within their small language groups. The results of discussions within those 13 small groups will be presented at a General Congregation in the main Synod Hall on Friday morning, marking the end of the first stage focused on the challenges facing families in different parts of the world today. Continue reading Cardinal Nichols urges Synod on Family to focus on joy →

Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Married couples speak before the Synod Assembly

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Vatican City, 8 October 2015 (VIS) – Married couples are participating as auditors in this year’s Synod dedicated to the family, presenting their concrete experiences as couples, parents or grandparents before the Assembly of cardinals, bishops, priests and experts. On 5 October the Assembly heard the testimony of the Mexican couple Gertrudiz Clara Rubio de Galindo and Andres Salvador Galindo, executive secretaries of the Episcopal Commission for the Family of the Episcopal Conference, secretaries of CELAM for the Mexico-Central America zone. On 6 October, during the third General Congregation, the Assembly was addressed by Buysile Patronella Nkosi and Meshack Jabulani Nkosi, members of the Advisory Committee for the National Family Desk of the Southern African Episcopal Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Continue reading Married couples speak before the Synod Assembly →

Doctrine, Middle East, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Synod on the Family: Press Briefing Day 4

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2015-10-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Thursday Oct. 8 at the daily press briefing for the Synod of the Family, three prelates spoke about issues from Africa and the Middle East. They said that the Synod is universal and that Africa and the West shared similar problems. Continue reading Synod on the Family: Press Briefing Day 4 →

Politics, Religion, United Nations, Vatican, World Health Organisation, World Organisations

Paul VI, champion of dialogue between peoples

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Vatican City, 8 October 2015 (VIS) – Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States, today spoke in Brescia, Italy during the meeting entitled “Dialogue between Peoples in the name of Paul VI”, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of Blessed Paul VI’s visit to the General Assembly of the United Nations on 4 October 1965. Continue reading Paul VI, champion of dialogue between peoples →

Doctrine, Jesus, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

World Hunger at Synod???

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8/10/15

Will the Catholic Church discuss “World Hunger” at the synod and take an active role in helping eliminate this world travesty?

This video below was produced in 2006 and nine years later “World Hunger” is still a problem. There is enough food for all. Why? Continue reading World Hunger at Synod??? →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis at weekly General Audience

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2015-10-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square – the first of three Wednesday Audiences scheduled to take place during the course of the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to reflecting on the family in the life of the Church and of society.  Below, please find the official English-language summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks Continue reading Pope Francis at weekly General Audience →

People, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

The spirit of the family is the constitutional charter of the Church

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Vatican City, 7 October 2015 (VIS) – During the period of the Synod dedicated to “The vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world”, the catechesis of the Wednesday general audiences will focus on various aspects of the relationship between the Church and the family, the Pope announced this morning to the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Continue reading The spirit of the family is the constitutional charter of the Church →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis at Audience: ‘family spirit’ a constitution for Church

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2015-10-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square – the first of three Wednesday Audiences scheduled to take place during the course of the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to reflecting on the family in the life of the Church and of society. Continue reading Pope Francis at Audience: ‘family spirit’ a constitution for Church →

Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Rapporteurs and moderators of the Circuli Minori of the Synod

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Vatican City, 7 October 2015 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office today published the following list of rapporteurs and moderators of the Circuli Minori: Continue reading Rapporteurs and moderators of the Circuli Minori of the Synod →

Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Cardinal Wuerl: Synod off to a good start

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2015-10-07 (Vatican Radio) Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., says the opening days of the Synod of Bishops are going smoothly. “I think we’re moving along very well. We’ve had very good discussions in the Aula. Many, many of the points that were raised contribute positively to trying to find a better way to say what we want to say. The rest of them reinforced what’s already there. So far, this has been a very positive meeting. Continue reading Cardinal Wuerl: Synod off to a good start →
Bible, Doctrine, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

It is not easy to be a prophet says Cardinal Alencherry to the Synod

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Vatican City, 6 October 2015 (VIS) – This morning at 9 a.m., with the recitation of the Terce prayer, the third Congregation of the General Ordinary Assembly on the Family opened in the Synod Hall.

His Beatitude Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India, and president of the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church, pronounced a homily in which he underlined, in the light of the Bible readings, the prophetic mission of the Church in our times.

Continue reading It is not easy to be a prophet says Cardinal Alencherry to the Synod →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Keeping doors open at the Synod on the Family

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2015-10-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Tuesday afternoon, participants at the Synod of Bishops on the family move into small language group discussions, following on from one and a half days of presentations at the General Congregations. Philippa Hitchen takes a look at some of the key issues that have emerged during this first phase of the three week encounter…. Continue reading Keeping doors open at the Synod on the Family →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Synod on the Family: Press Briefing Day 2

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2015-10-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J. opened the daily press conference by explaining what had happened in the morning session. He said that the general secretary of the Synod, Cardinal Baldisseri, had explained “certain processes of the methodology” and its new elements. Continue reading Synod on the Family: Press Briefing Day 2 →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis: God wants his ministers to be merciful

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2015-10-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has warned against having a hard heart that is closed to God’s mercy.  Speaking on Tuesday morning during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta before joining the Synod Fathers gathered in the Vatican Synod Hall, the Pope urged the faithful not to put one’s own convictions or a list of commandments before the Lord’s mercy. Continue reading Pope Francis: God wants his ministers to be merciful →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

“The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world”

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First General Congregation: the Synod is the Church that walks together to see reality with the eyes of faith, says the Pope

Vatican City, 5 October 2015 (VIS) – This morning at 9 a.m. the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world” commenced in the Vatican. In the presence of the Holy Father, the first to speak was the Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, who presented to the Synod Fathers a brief meditation summarising the intentions and spirit of the Assembly.

Continue reading “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world” →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis: full text of remarks at Synod opening

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2015-10-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis addressed the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Monday morning – the morning of their first full day of sessions. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s full English translation of the Holy Father’s remarks. Continue reading Pope Francis: full text of remarks at Synod opening →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope’s Homily at Opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops

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2015-10-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The front of St. Peter’s Basilica was lined with green and scarlet as the Synod Fathers gathered around the altar for the opening mass of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family on Sunday presided over by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Continue reading Pope’s Homily at Opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops →

Jesus, Pope Francis

Jesus, technology and the kingdom of God

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... 14 growing in christ key text jesus answered and said to him most

Yes, you might find it strange, or even unusual but, Jesus did draw to our attention in the Bible about the limitations of our new fashioned technology.  All the new technology that let’s you do all sorts of things but it won’t tell you about the coming of the kingdom of God.  It won’t save your soul. In fact, Jesus also goes on to tell us it will just be like the days in the past, with Noah and with Lot. So why does Jesus tell us this – and what does He know about technology. Continue reading Jesus, technology and the kingdom of God →

Jesus, The Jesuits, Vatican, World Organisations

Jesus, demoted & forgotten in Congress and UN

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Jesus in Gethsemane

It was Our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, who bestowed upon Simon Peter the grace to continue His teachings to the people of the world: to go and teach all nations -after He had returned to heaven, to His Almighty Father. Yet, two thousand years later we have Simon Peter’s, successor, Francis who has elevated himself so high in the worldly realm that, he forgets his place. Continue reading Jesus, demoted & forgotten in Congress and UN →

Pope Francis, The Jesuits, Vatican, World Organisations

Liberty’s first Saint?

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Junipero Serra

Does a society like the U.S. deserve a saint?

Well in the country where anything goes, the Pope feels it’s appropriate to reward them with a saint in whose presence the indigenous natives were maltreated. Continue reading Liberty’s first Saint? →

Bolivia, Crimes, Pope Francis, Saints, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on Serra canonization

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Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on Serra canonization A woman passed a statue of Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra at the Mission San Diego de Acala in San Diego earlier this year. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By Sudhin Thanawala Associated Press September 7, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO — Pope Francis’ apology for the Roman Catholic Church’s crimes against indigenous peoples has not softened opposition among some California Native Americans to his decision to canonize 18th-century Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra.  Serra is extolled by the Vatican as a great evangelizer, but denounced by some tribal officials as a destroyer of Native culture. Continue reading Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on Serra canonization →

Evil, People, United Nations, Vatican

Bill Gates – Mass Sterilization discovered by Kenyan Bishops

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Kenyan Bishops Discover Mass Sterilization in Bill Gates Vaccines

Continue reading Bill Gates – Mass Sterilization discovered by Kenyan Bishops →

Palestine, United Nations, Vatican, World Organisations

As Canada, Israel and U.S. object, UN votes overwhelmingly to let Palestinian flag fly at New York HQ | National Post

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Cara Anna and Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press | September 11, 2015 |

UNITED NATIONS — The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution Thursday allowing the Palestinians and the Holy See to raise their flags at UN headquarters — a symbolic step pursued by the Palestinians in their quest for an independent state.

Israel strongly objected to the proposal and joined seven other countries, including Canada and the United States, in voting “no”; 119 nations voted “yes” and 45 abstained. Continue reading As Canada, Israel and U.S. object, UN votes overwhelmingly to let Palestinian flag fly at New York HQ | National Post →

Evil, Vatican

The Great Deception

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“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then understand that its devastation is approaching.

Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in the countryside must not go into it, because these are the days of vengeance when all that is written will be fulfilled. “How terrible it will be for those women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days! Continue reading The Great Deception →

Evil, Vatican, World Organisations

Nonsense -“The extra-terrestrial is my brother”

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José-Funes SJ

updated 5/13/2008 3:57:50 PM ET

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s chief astronomer says that believing in aliens does not contradict faith in God. The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, said that the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones. Continue reading Nonsense -“The extra-terrestrial is my brother” →