Amoris Laetitia
New Vatican document combines modern transparency with eternal teaching
By Thomas Reese — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — Pope Francis summons all people to defend human dignity in every moment of human existence.
Sex is ‘divine’: How Pope Francis is recasting Catholic Church’s views on intimacy
By Claire Giangravé — February 12, 2024
(RNS) — A book on sexuality by the Vatican’s doctrinal chief may have raised eyebrows, but Pope Francis has long been calling for the church to offer more robust teaching on sex.
As Catholic bishops’ Communion war roils June meeting, look what’s not on the agenda
By Thomas Reese — June 8, 2021
(RNS) — It is sad that the U.S. bishops are so focused on the Communion war that they have no energy for anything else.
Pope Francis urges marriage annulment reform, with emphasis on children’s fate
By Claire Giangravé — January 29, 2021
(RNS) — Francis' remarks to the Roman Rota follow his 2015 changes to canon law that made annulments simpler and less costly.
Cardinal Kasper is far from controversies for a change, and happily so
By David Gibson — January 3, 2019
ROME (RNS) — One of the most influential Catholic theologians, Cardinal Walter Kasper has in recent years been swept up in Pope Francis’ effort to make the Catholic Church more compassionate and inclusive.
A new type of Catholic emerges: the conservative dissenter
By Christopher Lamb — April 19, 2018
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — And Francis agrees with his critics who say that a pope can be wrong.
Cupich speaks: The church must learn from the faithful about married life
By Thomas Reese — February 9, 2018
(RNS) — Not only does the church bring the gospel to families, families contribute to the church’s understanding and proclamation of the gospel, Cupich argued in England Friday (Feb. 9).
Papal loyalists become dissidents
By Thomas Reese — November 8, 2017
(RNS) — What is remarkable about the critics of Pope Francis is that during the papacies of John Paul and Benedict, they harshly criticized as dissidents and heretics anyone who questioned papal teaching. It is clear that their loyalty was not to the successor of Peter but to their own theological opinions.
US bishops’ consultant resigns after penning letter critical of pope
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 2, 2017
(RNS) — The letter and the writer's subsequent departure as a longtime top adviser to the bishops are the latest salvos in a struggle that pits traditionalists against the pope's fans.
‘Amoris Laetitia’ revisited
By Thomas Reese — October 10, 2017
(RNS) — The document encouraged the church to meet people where they are and then accompany them on their journey toward God. But who is going to do this accompanying?
Is Melania’s marriage valid in the eyes of her church?
By Mark Silk — May 30, 2017
(RNS) Not if her husband didn't get his previous marriages annulled.
Paris conference on deposing a heretical pope looks to the past, not the present
By Tom Heneghan — April 3, 2017
PARIS (RNS) It looked as if the two-day meeting in Paris could be the place where the next steps in the campaign against the pope were being worked out. It turned out to be nothing of the sort.
Top 5 ‘heresies’ of 2016: ‘One God,’ biblical authority and more
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 29, 2016
(RNS) As Christians prepared to mark 500 years since Martin Luther -- one of history's great heretics, or heroes, depending on your point of view -- 2016 found them debating theological questions most thought had been settled a millennium ago.
The pope frustrates foes with silence, this priest nails them with tweets
By David Gibson — December 27, 2016
ROME (RNS) The Rev. Antonio Spadaro has become so closely identified with the pontiff that he is almost as big a target as Francis for critics whose complaints are louder than ever.
Is the pope Catholic? Francis dismisses critics of his teachings
By David Gibson — November 18, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) 'I don’t lose sleep over it,' the pontiff said in a new interview. Foes accusing him of 'Protestantizing' the church are legalists trying 'to foment divisions.'
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