Vatican News

Walk alongside your people, Pope Francis tells bishops at synod's close

Vatican City, Oct 25, 2015 / 05:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis Sunday officially brought the Synod on the Family to a close at Mass in St. Peter’s, warning against a “spirituality of illusion,” and reminding pastors of their duty to accompany the faithful and be bearers of God’s mercy especially in times of suffering and conflict.

“Jesus’ disciples are called to this, even today, especially today: to bring people into contact with the compassionate Mercy that saves,” he said.

Pope Francis to youth: the Bible can change your life. Now read it!

Vatican City, Oct 23, 2015 / 06:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Bible is so dangerous that some Christians risk persecution to have one. But for Pope Francis, its life-changing role in daily life is important too.

“The Bible is not meant to be placed on a shelf, but to be in your hands, to read often – every day, both on your own and together with others,” he wrote in the prologue to a Bible for youth in Germany.

The problem of porn – are bishops talking about it?

Vatican City, Oct 23, 2015 / 04:06 am (CNA).- It hasn't gotten a lot of media coverage so far, but the rampant affects of pornography on families worldwide has sparked concern and dialogue among the synod's bishops – particularly the Americans.

“Porn demeans the best in the male spirit. It addicts them to a kind of cheap junk food, when real women with minds and hearts, beliefs and hopes, are much more interesting,” Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia told CNA Oct. 19.

The saint and the synod – John Paul II’s legacy still seen in Church teaching

Vatican City, Oct 22, 2015 / 03:54 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Though it has been more than 10 years since the death of Pope John Paul II, the saint’s impact can still be seen in those working to uphold Church teaching at the Synod on the Family, said his former secretary.

“The teaching of the magisterium of the Church and of John Paul II is always current,” said Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki of Lviv.

Church unity and truth serve the family, Archbishop Gomez says from synod

Vatican City, Oct 21, 2015 / 01:29 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Catholic Church needs “a new missionary confidence and courage” that draws on Church unity and the recognition of God’s unwavering vision for the family, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles has said.

“We need to find creative, positive ways to proclaim God as Creator and to show the beauty of his plan for the human person and the family,” he said in an Oct. 20 column for L.A.’s Angelus News.

Synod finds strong support for Church teaching in communion debate

Vatican City, Oct 21, 2015 / 10:17 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Despite pastoral challenges posed by divorced-and-civilly-remarried Catholics, many synod fathers are in favor of current Church teaching and practice according to a new round of small group reports.

“The majority without full consensus affirmed the current teaching and practice of the Church regarding the participation in the Eucharist of those who are divorced and civilly remarried,” reads a new report from group “A” of the four English-speaking synod circles.

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