Synod on Synodality
The top religion stories of 2023
By Paul O'Donnell — December 29, 2023
(RNS) — Some of the year's most dramatic global events had religion at their center.
The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023
By Claire Giangravé — December 27, 2023
(RNS) — Francis has continued to push for changes in the church, braving daunting opposition and several medical scares.
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.
Pope Francis asks theologians to ‘demasculinize’ the church
By Claire Giangravé — November 30, 2023
(RNS) – ‘Women have a way of reflecting on theology that is different from us men,’ Francis told the International Theological Commission.
To remake church power in Francis’ vision, synod calls for changes to canon law
By Claire Giangravé — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — Canon law already allows for the participation of lay Catholics, but the role of bishops — and even the pope — might require revisions to the code that runs the church.
‘Excuse me, Your Eminence, she has not finished speaking’
By Phyllis Zagano — November 15, 2023
(RNS) — Francis’ opening to women in church management is promising. Getting women into the sacristy is trickier.
US Orthodox symposium on women deacons proposes a way forward
By Meagan Saliashvili — November 14, 2023
BROOKLINE, Mass. (RNS)— A consortium of Orthodox Christian scholars, clergy and lay supporters meeting this week outside Boston proposed guidelines for the church to revive the ancient practice of allowing women to be deacons.
Faith does not live by answers alone
By Jonathan Merritt — November 14, 2023
(RNS) — Christians should not fear the theological discernment of the Catholic Church’s synod.
After global summit, Pope Francis injects synodality into Vatican theology
By Claire Giangravé — November 8, 2023
(RNS) — The pope called for a ‘popular theology’ that stems from the people and is in dialogue with the world.
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.
In Vatican summit’s closing document, agreement that synodality is church’s future
By Claire Giangravé — October 30, 2023
(RNS) — Pope Francis’ synod on synodality never sought to answer the church’s hot-button questions, but it achieved its goal of promoting dialogue.
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.
Pope Francis preaches humility. Benedict XVI demonstrated it. Can the church learn it?
By Christopher M. Bellitto — October 27, 2023
(RNS) — From the sexual abuse crisis to the synod, the church hierarchy has a chance to address its hubris.
Papal critic praises dubia by conservative prelates as ‘heroic act’
By Claire Giangravé — October 27, 2023
(RNS) — Bishop Athanasius Schneider said that Francis’ answers to questions posed by prelates 'were confusing and sought to confuse.'
Vatican synod is ‘not about ideology,’ participants say
By Claire Giangravé — October 25, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a letter addressed to the people of God, synod attendees joined appeals for peace amid global conflicts.
