On January 11, 2023, Pope Francis at his Wednesday audience, announced the beginning of a new series of catechesis.
Tag: Pope Francis
The idea of a decade and other times
As the sentimental, nostalgic beings that we are, we love our decades. We love to talk about “the 60s,” “the 90s,” and so on.
Pope, bishops to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Pope Francis has asked bishops around the world to join him on Friday, March 25, in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, something bishops in every part of the globe had started announcing the minute they heard what the pope had planned.
Looking ahead to the synod
Since the Second Vatican Council ended, gatherings of the world’s bishops, called synods, have occurred in Rome.
These meetings have always dealt with a particular ecclesial theme, such as Religious Life, youth, evangelization, marriage and family, the vocation, and mission of the laity.
Bishop Hying returns from whirlwind ‘ad limina’ week in Rome, meets pope
Bishop Donald J. Hying has returned from what he described as a “whirlwind” week in Rome for his “ad limina” visit.
Reflections on ‘Dominus Iesus’
The primary aim of the Amazon Synod that is happening right now in Rome is, in the words of Pope Francis, to “identify new ways for the evangelization of that portion of the people of God, and especially the indigenous peoples.”1
This question of how to evangelize is very important, not only for the Amazon Region, but for the whole Church. How do we bring Jesus Christ to those who have never heard of him? And more specifically, how are we called to treat other cultures and other religions with the respect they deserve yet without compromising the saving truth of the Gospel?
Teaching on death penalty has evolved
As we observe October as Respect Life Month, we often think of protecting innocent human life, such as the unborn, the sick, the disabled, and the elderly. But I think it is more challenging to consider protecting the lives of those who have been convicted of crimes. Obviously, they are not innocent.
However, as Catholics we are called to protect ALL human life. In 2018, Pope Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s section on the death penalty to teach that the death penalty is “inadmissible” and to say that the Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide.” In a rescript, or decree, the Holy Father replaced the previous version of n. 2267 of the Catechism to read:
Prayer and dialogue needed for peace
Almost every day we hear about terrorist attacks, escalating violence, and wars throughout the world.
We wonder whether peace is even possible. And if it is, how do we achieve it?
We don’t build peace by weapons, but by prayer and dialogue, Pope Francis said in a message to a religious peace meeting which opened on September 15.
Vatican official: protection of minors is goal
Clergy sexual abuse has impacted many people in society and the Church, including those working in the Church’s “Supreme Court” at the Vatican.
“This work has changed me,” the priest who heads Vatican Disciplinary Action in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith told Catholic journalists June 19.
“When I read the facts of the cases, I feel repulsed,” said Msgr. John Kennedy. However, he and the 16 others working in his office carry on with the work. “For victims and for their parents, it is far worse,” he said. “We’re doing this because it needs to be done to restore what has been damaged.”
Vote in state-wide election on April 2
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On April 2, there is a state-wide election in Wisconsin. Offices on the ballot are justice of the state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals judge (Districts 2, 3, and 4), and Circuit Court judge in several counties. There are also candidates for local offices.
State Supreme Court election
Perhaps one of the most important elections is one new justice for the state Supreme Court. This court is the highest appellate court in Wisconsin.
The court has seven justices, who are selected in nonpartisan elections for 10-year terms. The court has jurisdiction over all other Wisconsin courts and can also hear original actions.
With Supreme Court justices serving such a long term, voters should be vigilant to study where the candidates stand on the issues they value.
Responsibility to vote
As Catholics we have both a right and a responsibility to vote.
Even Pope Francis has encouraged people to be involved. “We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern,” the Holy Father said.