News (World)
World News
Congregation of Bishops announces symposium on vocations
- Written by: The Tablet
The symposium, entitled “Towards a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood”, is to take place in the Vatican City between 17 and 22 February next year and will discuss issues such as the role of women, the priesthood and multiculturalism.
Read more: Congregation of Bishops announces symposium on vocations
Quebec bishops consider possibility of married priests
- Written by: Alex Walker
The Catholic bishops of Quebec have discussed the possibility of ordaining married men to priesthood.
Read more: Quebec bishops consider possibility of married priests
Francis visits seven former priests, now married, and their families
- Written by: Alex Walker
This afternoon the Pope paid a visit to some men who gave up the priesthood to start a family. On this final “Mercy Friday”, Francis wished to show his closeness to those who made a choice that does not always go down well with fellow priests and relativesRead more: Francis visits seven former priests, now married, and their families
Francis: Synod is unfinished business of Vatican II
- Written by: Sean Smith
Pope Francis insisted that the Synod of Bishops in Rome is the unfinished business of Vatican II at an address to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the synod as a permanent body.
Speaking at the commemoration at Paul VI Audience Hall in Vatican City on Saturday morning, Francis insisted that both the process and the substance of the Synod, currently in session, is as constitutive and expressive as the Church’s own nature and mission.
“Journeying together,” said Pope Francis in an enlargement on the Greek words from which the English word 'synod' is derived, “laity, pastors, and the Bishop of Rome, is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice.”
The Holy Father went on to say that each and everyone has a place in the Church, and that the key to journeying well together is listening.
Pope Cautions Against Dilution of Priestly Ministry
- Written by: Alex Walker
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 16, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is affirming the importance of the ministerial priesthood in the Church, and is calling for greater attention to the education of clergy.
The Pope said this today during an audience with participants of the Congregation for Clergy's plenary assembly, a Vatican communiqué reported. In this meeting, he also announced his intention to convoke a Year for Priests, beginning June 19, on the occasion of 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé of Ars.
The Pontiff cautioned his audience against confusing the baptismal and ministerial priesthood, stating that the two are distinguished on an ontological level, rather than by a variance in degrees. The second dimension, he said, "arises from [the priest's] sacramental configuration to Christ the Head."
Read more: Pope Cautions Against Dilution of Priestly Ministry