What did Pope Francis say? Here’s an explainer (CNA) Some activists and media reports have suggested that Pope Francis has changed Catholic teaching by his remarks. Among many Catholics, the pope’s comments have raised questions about what the pope really said, what it means, and what the Church teaches about civil unions and marriage. CNA looks at those questions…
Pope has history of defending marriage but being open to some civil unions (CNS) Pope Francis often has expressed openness to the idea of laws recognizing civil unions, including for gay couples, to protect their rights. The pope’s comments in a brief passage in the documentary film, “Francesco,” are similar to the position he took while archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and echo remarks he has made in several interviews during his pontificate: “Marriage” is only between a man and a woman, but civil union laws could provide legal protection for couples in long-term, committed relationships…
Divided reactions in U.S. to pope’s remarks on civil unions (AP) LGBTQ Catholics and their allies in the U.S. welcomed Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions, the first time he’s done so as pontiff, while some prominent members including a bishop said Wednesday that he was blatantly contradicting church teaching…
Holy See and China renew agreement for two years (Vatican News) The Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China regarding the appointment of bishops was signed in Beijing on September 22, 2018. That Agreement expires today since it went into effect one month later, with the term of two years ad experimentum. As this date drew near, the two parties evaluated various aspects of the Agreement’s application, and through an official exchange of Note Verbali, have agreed to prolong the term for another two years, until October 22, 2022. Therefore, the renewal of the Provisional Agreement seems to be a propitious occasion to explore its objective and motivations…
Latest EWTN/RealClear poll shows ‘likely Catholic voters’ supporting Biden (CNS) Less than two weeks before the presidential election, a new poll indicated President Donald Trump has lost the so-called “Catholic vote” and that his nomination of a Catholic to the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, did nothing to change that equation. Released the afternoon of Oct. 19, the results of a poll conducted by EWTN News and RealClear Opinion Research showed that 52% of “likely Catholic voters” support former Vice President Joe Biden, a Catholic, while 40% support Trump…
Remembering Rev. John Vakulskas, the ‘carnival priest’ (The New York Times) He was the minister of the midway — a carnival priest who held services on bumper cars, in show tents and, at least once, in front of what was billed as the world’s largest portable Ferris wheel. Over the last half-century, and on too many fairgrounds to count, the Rev. John Vakulskas tended to an ever-changing flock of carnival workers (he never called them carnies) on the move. He called it “my parish on wheels…”
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