A discussion among practicing Catholics occurred in a social media group, inevitably landing on current divisions between Catholics -- those who would describe themselves as "orthodox" vs the "more progressive;" those who pronounce themselves "proudly cafeteria" versus those who identify as "proudly
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church must take great care to avoid rites or blessings that suggest marriage is anything other than a sacramental bond between one man and one woman, the incoming prefect of the Vatican’s doctrinal office said. “There
Pope Francis appointed his longtime theological adviser and fellow countryman Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández of La Plata, Argentina, to lead the Vatican's doctrinal office, urging him in a public letter to expand the office's focus beyond its reputation as a watchdog pursuing
A reader asks: “Both Scripture and history teach that kings were anointed in the Old Testament. The Greek word for anointed translates as ‘Christ.’ However, was this merely applied to Jesus as a title or part of his actual name? Is there
“I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the Faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion.” With those words, Pope St. John Paul II presented the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the faithful and the
Discernment is a key attribute in protecting doctrinal integrity, in safeguarding the innocent and in guiding the church's synodal path, Pope Francis told members of and advisers to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Discernment also is needed to fight against
The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent an explanatory note to nuncios around the world insisting that when Pope Francis spoke about civil unions, he was not changing or challenging "the doctrine of the church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over
Contributing editor Russell Shaw writes about Pope Francis’ comments that showed support for legalizing civil unions between same-sex couples. However, Shaw writes that to equate the Church’s doctrine with policy is classic legalism. After all, policies are set, amended and sometimes abolished
Christian doctrine is not modified to keep up with passing times nor is it rigidly closed in on itself, Pope Francis told members and advisers of the doctrinal congregation. "It is a dynamic reality that, staying faithful to its foundation, is renewed
The Church has always been intensely concerned about holding, preserving and sharing what it believes to be revealed truth about God and the meaning of life. Russell Shaw writes that the reorganization of the Roman Curia to merge two existing evangelization dicasteries