Amazon Synod 2019

The Latest

Bishop Dom Adriano Ciocca Vasino of São Félix, Brazil.

Bishop in Brazil says he will ordain women to diaconate if pope permits it

Oct 12, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A bishop participating in the Vatican’s Amazon Synod said Saturday he would ordain women in his communities as deacons if... Read more

A participant in the Vatican's Amazon synod is flanked by two members of the Swiss Guard.

The Amazon synod, by the numbers

Oct 11, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Here are a few facts about the Amazon synod, as told by the numbers.  Read more

Amazon spirituality event at the Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina in Rome Oct. 9, 2019.

Amazon spirituality events organized by network of Latin American and European groups

Oct 10, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A network of organizations has united to promote gatherings devoted to the spirituality and culture of indigenous Amazonian people, all... Read more

An Oct. 10 Vatican press briefing during the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon.

The Church has fought infanticide, Amazon synod bishops say

Oct 10, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Wilmar Santin of Itabituba, Brazil said Thursday that the Church has worked to eradicate the practice of tribal infanticide... Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah. CNA file photo.

Cardinal Sarah: Ideological push in Amazon synod an 'insult to God'

Oct 9, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The push by some Westerners to use the Vatican’s Amazon synod to advance their personal agendas is an insult to... Read more

Bishop Erwin Kräutler at an Oct. 9 press briefing during the Vatican's synod of bishops on the Amazon.

Amazon synod bishop: 'Indigenous people do not understand celibacy'

Oct 9, 2019

By JD Flynn

A contributor to the working document for the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops on the Amazon region made his case Wednesday... Read more

Pope Francis with pilgrims and participants as the 2019 Synod of Bishops on the Amazon opens Oct. 7, 2019 in Rome.

Priestly celibacy discussed as Amazon synod gets underway

Oct 8, 2019

By JD Flynn

Some participants at the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops on the Amazon have responded critically to a proposal that the Church... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the opening of the Amazon synod Oct. 7, 2019.

Holy Spirit is 'main actor' of Amazon synod, pope says in opening remarks

Oct 7, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his opening remarks for the Amazon synod Monday, Pope Francis said the assembly’s working document is meant to be... Read more

Pope Francis at the opening Mass for the Amazon synod Oct. 6, 2019.

Pope Francis prays for 'daring prudence' during Amazon synod

Oct 6, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the opening Mass for the Amazon synod Sunday, Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would give the bishops... Read more

Vatican at sunset. Via Shutterstock.

In Rome, outside voices offer contrasting opposition to Amazon synod

Oct 4, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

This week, two groups who say their voices are not often heard by Church leaders held events to speak out... Read more

Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri.

Cardinal Baldisseri: Amazon synod's working doc ‘not magisterium’

Oct 3, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Speaking at a press conference Thursday on the Vatican’s upcoming Amazon synod, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, head of the Synod of... Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet.

Cardinal Ouellet defends priestly celibacy ahead of Amazon synod

Oct 2, 2019

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, presented a book Wednesday arguing that in the face of challenges,... Read more

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on April 7, 2012.

Ahead of synod, alumni of Benedict XVI express concerns about married priesthood

Sep 28, 2019

Just days before the Amazon synod of bishops is to convene in Rome, a symposium of students of Pope Emeritus... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to bishops inside the Synod Hall.

Cardinal O'Malley, Bishop McElroy named participants in Amazon synod

Sep 21, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego are among those chosen by Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Synod of Bishops on youth Oct. 3, 2018.

Analysis: The Amazon and Germany - A tale of two synods

Sep 16, 2019

By JD Flynn

For the next two months, most of the ink spilled by Catholic journalists will be dedicated to the Amazon, and... Read more

 Cardinal Reinhard Marx and ZdK Chairman Thomas Sternberg on July 5, 2019 Photo: Martin Rothweiler / EWTN.TV

German bishops to green light binding 'Synodal Assembly'

Sep 5, 2019

By Ed Condon

The decision to proceed comes despite a warning from Pope Francis to the  German bishops that they must remain in step with... Read more

Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke during the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, June 29, 2019. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Burke and Brandmüller say Amazon synod challenges deposit of faith

Sep 4, 2019

Two cardinals have sent letters to fellow members of the College of Cardinals, raising concerns about the working document for... Read more

The Amazon river.

Amazon missionary bishop: Synod plans miss the real problems

Aug 21, 2019

A long-time missionary bishop of the Amazon River delta has said that the working document for an upcoming synod of... Read more

Pope Francis hospital ship.

Hospital boat named 'Pope Francis' sets sail to serve rural Amazon region

Aug 20, 2019

By Courtney Mares

A hospital boat named the “Pope Francis” set sail this week in the Amazon River to bring medical care to... Read more

Pope Francis speaks inside the synod hall of the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Ordination of married men 'absolutely not' main theme of Amazon synod

Aug 9, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The ordination to the priesthood of mature, married men, sometimes called viri probati, is among the topics to be addressed... Read more