bishops
Vatican and China in final push for elusive deal on bishops
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 21, 2016
ROME/HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Representatives from the Vatican and China are expected to meet before the end of the month to finalize a deal on the ordination of bishops on the mainland.
Pope Francis to new bishops: Dispense mercy, don’t be ‘charming liars’
By Josephine McKenna — September 16, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) People don't like whiny bishops, the pontiff said, and they can 'sniff out narcissists, manipulators and hawkers of vain crusades.'
Pope puts Guam archbishop accused of sex abuse on leave
By David Gibson — June 6, 2016
(RNS) The decision to force Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron to yield his authority, at least temporarily, is the latest sign that Francis is taking tougher steps to tackle the sexual abuse crisis.
Pope Francis decrees removal of bishops negligent in sex abuse
By David Gibson — June 4, 2016
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) The new decree puts the force of church law behind the pontiff's pledge to hold bishops accountable, but some victims remain skeptical.
Why United Methodists’ chaos on sexuality issues will continue (COMMENTARY)
By Jacob Lupfer — May 23, 2016
(RNS) In reality, the bishops did not lead.
Could the Zika virus move Catholics to reconsider birth control? (COMMENTARY)
By Travis Knoll — February 11, 2016
(RNS) The church might be more flexible on the issue of contraception if it sees it less as a cultural poison pill leading down the slope to abortion and more as a viable public health alternative.
Pope Francis calls for changes to papacy and a more decentralized church
By Reuters — October 18, 2015
Speaking at the 59th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, the pontiff called for changes in the papacy and greater decision-making authority for local bishops.
Ordain women? Vatican synod gets an unexpected proposal
By David Gibson — October 7, 2015
(RNS) The idea is to ordain them as deacons, not priests. But if the idea floated among 270 leading churchmen flies, it would represent a historic breakthrough for the Catholic Church -- or, perhaps, a return to a New Testament tradition.
At Vatican synod, bishops want an open discussion on divorce, gays
By Rosie Scammell — October 6, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The 62 bishops who have so far spoken pushed back strongly against remarks made by Hungary’s Cardinal Peter Erdo, who defended the church’s exclusion of divorced and remarried couples from receiving Communion.
Pope Francis came to praise, to provoke — and to bless
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 23, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) The pope delivered a strong address to the shepherds of the U.S. Catholic church but the flock heard love and respect threaded through his homily.
Liberia’s United Methodists keep ban on divorced clergy becoming bishops
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 7, 2015
(RNS) The church’s leaders say the ban brings moral credibility to the office and guides the conduct of those who want to be bishop.
Church of England adds a second woman bishop in space of three months
By Trevor Grundy — March 25, 2015
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Alison White, 58, will become the next bishop of Hull, following closely on the heels of Bishop Libby Lane, who was consecrated in January.
A complicated world intrudes upon an ideologically driven Congress (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — January 13, 2015
(RNS) The disconnect between what Congress wants to do and what the nation needs done is vast and bizarre.
Who are the three bishops under Vatican review for sex abuse?
By Josephine McKenna — May 27, 2014
(RNS) “Sexual abuse is such an ugly crime ... because a priest who does this betrays the body of the Lord," the pope said emphatically. “This is very serious. It is like a satanic Mass.”
Pope Francis: The church needs better bishops; go find them
By David Gibson — February 27, 2014
(RNS) The pope has blasted hierarchical “careerism” as “a form of cancer” and derided bishops who strut about in church finery as “peacocks.”
