Schism Archives

Is Synodal Path in Germany a road to schism?
- Mar 27, 2021
Some are warning that a Synodal Path envisioned as an effort to restore the confidence lost by the abuse scandals and to promote internal church debate could lead many Germans into schism.

By Inés San Martín
New edition of Jesuit journal proves Vatican’s ‘all in’ on Chinese courtship
- May 17, 2020
No matter people may think, the Vatican is moving full-steam ahead in its courtship of Beijing, with the ultimate prize remaining full diplomatic relations, a secure legal standing for the church, and partnerships on the global stage. That’s hardly a policy that began with Pope Francis, but it’s been shared fully by every pontiff since the Communist takeover in 1949.

By John L. Allen Jr.
On American critics, Pope says he doesn’t want a schism but he’s not afraid of it
- Sep 10, 2019
“There always is the schismatic option in the Church,” Francis said. “It’s a choice that the Lord leaves to human freedom. I am not afraid of schism … I pray for them not to happen, as the spiritual health of many people is at stake.”

By Inés San Martín

Archbishop: ‘Catholic’ groups on ‘pro-choice’ ad not affiliated with church
- Jan 25, 2019
In response to a paid advertisement from self-identified “pro-choice” Catholic organizations that was published in the Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester said the signatories on the ad “are not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in New Mexico.”

By Catholic News Service

Pope, Bolivian bishops discuss rise of ‘parallel’ churches

Sep 19, 2017

Bolivian bishops in Rome for their ad limina visit spoke to Pope Francis about the rise of problematic groups in the country, also known as “parallel churches,” that are made of priests who have been suspended from their ministry and “seminarians who have claimed autonomy and distance from the church.”

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Francis says the people have spoken: ‘Two popes are just fine’

Aug 27, 2016

Sometimes leaders learn more from crowds than from polls about how passionately people are feeling something, and in his preface to a new biography of Benedict XVI, Francis suggests crowds have taught him that ordinary Catholics are just fine with the two-pope arrangement.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Cardinal Burke insists he’s not an ‘enemy’ of Pope Francis

Aug 22, 2016

American Cardinal Raymond Burke, often styled as a conservative opponent of Pope Francis, says that he told the pontiff ‘The only way I can serve you is by speaking the truth in the best and clearest way possible,’ to which Francis replied, ‘That’s what I want.’

By David Gibson