Top Vatican official says celibacy, homosexuality not cause of abuse crisis
- Dec 14, 2019
Germany’s Catholic bishops are pressing ahead with a national reform consultation, or “synodal way,” despite cautions from the Vatican and criticism from some bishops.
The press for a synod of the Italian Church is coming from the Primate of Italy himself, meaning the pope, and his closest allies.
Before a synod, bishops must learn what their people want and think and need, not so they can change church teaching, but so they can preach the Gospel more effectively, Pope Francis told the bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
As the Catholic Church in Germany prepares to embark on a synodal process motivated in part by a desire to stop a hemorrhage of faithful, Pope Francis has sent them a letter reminding them they don’t walk alone but with the universal Church.
Pope Francis has chosen Brazil’s Cardinal Claudio Hummes to serve as relator general of next year’s Synod of Bishops on the Amazon.
Recommendations on evangelization, vibrant parishes and communications emerged from the Diocese of Burlington’s first synod to be held since before the Second Vatican Council took place.