Articles by Jonathan Liedl
UPDATE: Pope Francis has ‘mild flu,’ went to hospital for precautionary testing
Nov 25, 2023 / 09:32 amThe pope, who turns 87 next month, has experienced a number of medical setbacks in recent years.
Pope Francis expresses ‘concerns’ about German Synodal Way, says it threatens Church unity
Nov 21, 2023 / 04:55 amPope Francis has expressed deep reservations about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany.
Strickland saga: Ousted bishop speculates on reasons the Vatican removed him
Nov 12, 2023 / 16:25 pm“I really can’t look to any reason except I’ve threatened some of the powers that be with the truth of the Gospel,” Bishop Joseph Strickland said.
Pope Francis calls for ‘paradigm shift’ in theology for world of today
Nov 1, 2023 / 15:36 pmCiting the need to deal with “profound cultural transformations,” the pope presented his dramatic vision for the future of Catholic theology in a new motu proprio.
Synod on Synodality 2023: Summary report calls for greater ‘co-responsibility’ in Church
Oct 28, 2023 / 19:04 pmThe Vatican’s nearly monthlong Synod on Synodality assembly concluded with members approving an ambitious text calling for greater “co-responsibility.”
Synod on Synodality: Anticipation and tensions brew ahead of synthesis report release
Oct 27, 2023 / 09:50 amThe summary text will serve as a bridge between this month’s assembly and a second synodal gathering scheduled for October 2024.
German bishop at Synod on Synodality: Church should not ignore ‘signs of the times’
Oct 21, 2023 / 12:40 pmBishop Franz Josef Overbeck cites Germany’s “post-secular” context amid Synod on Synodality’s discussions on “decentralization.”
Synod ‘setting the stages for future changes’ on role of women; first woman presides over assembly
Oct 14, 2023 / 17:20 pmSister Maria de los Dolores Palencia Gomez, a Sister of St. Joseph of Lyon, spoke at a press briefing about the participation of women in the ongoing Synod of Synodality.
Synod on Synodality reports not ‘secret,’ but still won’t be shared, spokesman says
Oct 14, 2023 / 11:55 amThe decision was communicated Saturday by Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod’s communication commission, at a press briefing.
Report: Confidential Synod on Synodality records aren’t secure
Oct 13, 2023 / 04:22 amThe Pillar report Friday raises questions about who has been spying on the Synod on Synodality’s supposedly private deliberations all along.
Synod on Synodality members ask ‘for greater discernment’ of Church teaching on sexuality
Oct 11, 2023 / 15:40 pmSpokesman Paolo Ruffini told the media that while some have asked for further discernment on the Church’s teaching, others said there’s no need for it.
Outcome of Synod will be welcomed as the ‘will of God,’ says African cardinal
Oct 7, 2023 / 18:28 pmCongolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu described synodality as “a new way of being a Church.”
New ‘grammar of synodality’ on display at start of synod gathering
Oct 4, 2023 / 17:03 pmOn its opening day, synod leaders also highlighted the many ways in which the current gathering breaks the mold of past Synods of Bishops.
Vatican responds to Cardinal Duka’s dubia on divorced and remarried Catholics
Oct 2, 2023 / 19:48 pmOriginally submitted by the archbishop emeritus of Prague on July 13, the DDF’s response had been issued to the Czech cardinal on Sept. 25.
Vatican releases Pope Francis’ responses to pre-synod dubia, criticizes cardinals
Oct 2, 2023 / 16:15 pmThe pope’s responses, originally issued July 11, responded to requests for doctrinal clarification on the development of doctrine, same-sex unions, and more.
Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, expanding body’s geographic diversity
Sep 30, 2023 / 07:53 amThe pope shared a guiding image for the College of Cardinals: that of “a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and synodality of the Church.”
Ordination of women should not be focal point of synod, Scandinavian cardinal says
Sep 14, 2023 / 12:55 pmCardinal Anders Arborelius said the issue of ordaining women “cannot lead further, as priestly ministry is reserved to men in Catholic and Orthodox doctrine.”
Pope Francis: ‘Spiritual worldliness’ one of greatest dangers facing priests, the Church
Aug 7, 2023 / 09:15 amSpiritual worldliness is one of the most dangerous temptations facing priests and the Church because it “reduces spirituality to appearance,” the pope said.
Pope Francis confirms Vatican envoy’s visit to China in wide-ranging interview
Aug 4, 2023 / 12:15 pmThe pope also addressed “rigidity” in the Church and concerns about the Synod on Synodality.
Pope Francis: Without concrete love, our lives have ‘no weight’
Aug 4, 2023 / 04:35 amAt a gathering with Portuguese charity workers, Pope Francis went off script to insist that Christian love must be tangibly lived out in the world.