Signs of the Times

Let the synodal consultations continue

By Thomas Reese — January 8, 2024
(RNS) — Diocesan consultations for the October 2024 session of the synod must be completed by April 8.

Let’s hold a conclave on Capitol Hill

By Thomas Reese — January 3, 2024
(RNS) — Instead of forcing Congress to do nothing, a conclave would force members of Congress to do their job.

The Vatican financial trial is finally over. What did we learn?

By Thomas Reese — December 19, 2023
(RNS) — The good news is the financial scandals became public and were not covered up by the Vatican as was the practice in the past.

In Advent God comforts us so we can comfort others

By Thomas Reese — December 13, 2023
(RNS) — God does not comfort us so we can simply be comfortable. God comforts us so we can comfort others.

When can the pope fire a bishop?

By Thomas Reese — December 5, 2023
(RNS) — It depends on whether the bishop is serving a diocese or filling another role.

In a world where Christ is king, authoritarian leaders can only be antichrists

By Thomas Reese — November 27, 2023
(RNS) — Today's anti-democratic leaders are promising to deliver justice by any means necessary.

US bishops fumble the ball on global warming and synodality

By Thomas Reese — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — One can only wonder how different the bishops' meeting would have been if they had consulted in a synodal fashion with the laity.

Fifteen hidden gems in the Synod on Synodality report

By Thomas Reese — November 7, 2023
(RNS) — We can miss important opportunities for church reform if we only focus on the hot-button issues.

Synod on Synodality report is disappointing but not surprising

By Thomas Reese — October 30, 2023
(RNS) — For Francis it was never about the hot-button topics.

Francis wants the synod in every parish. Here’s how to bring it to yours.

By Thomas Reese — October 23, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Such a process is a far cry from a parish meeting presided over by the pastor who announces and defends his preordained decisions.

Cardinal Hollerich guides synod with a gentle hand

By Thomas Reese — October 20, 2023
(RNS) — Hollerich hopes the synod can develop a road map for worldwide consultation before the next session of the synod in October 2024.

Covering synods for the media is not easy

By Thomas Reese — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — Pope Francis does not like the Western press, which he thinks focuses on hot-button issues.

It takes a Dominican to explain a Jesuit pope

By Thomas Reese — October 11, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Francis, the Jesuit pope, chose a Dominican, Timothy Radcliffe, to set the tone for his Synod on Synodality, which has been under attack by reactionaries in the church.

Conservative cardinals have five questions or ‘dubia.’ I have six.

By Thomas Reese — October 10, 2023
(RNS) — Traditionalists don't like Pope Francis because he is the first truly post-Counter-Reformation pope, with perhaps the exception of John XXIII.

Pope takes on climate change deniers in ‘Laudate Deum,’ a new document on global warming

By Thomas Reese — October 4, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point, says the pope, but our response has been inadequate.
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