From the synod: was something lost in translation?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s an interesting take on the relatio, from Catholic News Agency: An incorrect translation into English of the original midterm report of the Synod on the Family may have spurred controversial interpretations of the document itself.The document’s original version was written in Italian, which Pope Francis directed to be used as the official language of the synod. In prior synods the official language had been Latin, esteemed for its precision and lack of ambiguity.The point of controversy occurs at paragraph... Read more

Cardinal Kasper: “African Catholics shouldn’t tell us what we have to do” at the synod

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Am I the only one who thinks it might be a good idea for Cardial Kasper to take a vow of silence for a few weeks? From First Things: In a stunning new interview, German Cardinal Walter Kasper has said that African Catholics “should not tell us too much what we have to do” and admitted that they are not being listened to at the Vatican’s current synod as it takes up matters including homosexuality, divorce, remarriage, and family life. Kasper... Read more

Houston, we have a problem: city subpoenas pastors’ sermons

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Is this what we have come to? From The Houston Chronicle: Houston’s embattled equal rights ordinance took another legal turn this week when it surfaced that city attorneys, in an unusual step, subpoenaed sermons given by local pastors who oppose the law and are tied to the conservative Christian activists that have sued the city. Opponents of the equal rights ordinance are hoping to force a repeal referendum when they get their day in court in January, claiming City Attorney David... Read more

Synod reaction from a bishop: “The sky has not fallen”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Bishop Robert Vasa, from the Diocese of Santa Rosa, has looked over the relatio, and offers this context: It is important to recognize this report does not constitute a final report. It is simply a report on what has been proposed by one or more of the participants in the Synod. As such it does not add anything new to the discussion that was not already present some months ago as rumors about what the Holy Father would or would... Read more

AP: Religious groups to seek exemptions that would allow them to refuse service to gays

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Alarmed by the broad expansion of same-sex marriage set in motion by the U.S. Supreme Court, religious conservatives are moving their fight to state legislatures — seeking exemptions that would allow some groups, companies and people with religious objections to refuse benefits or service for gay spouses. But winning sweeping carve-outs for faith-affiliated adoption agencies or individual wedding vendors will be an uphill battle. Public attitudes against exceptions have hardened, and efforts by faith groups in states where courts,... Read more

The “gradual” homecoming of Sister Theresa, an atheist who became a nun

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

We’ve been hearing a lot the last couple days about the theological concept of “gradualism.” Critics have been dismissive, even scornful. But the newest blogger at Patheos happens to be a product of “gradualism”: Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble (is that a great name, or what?). Her story is gripping, and not quite what anyone would expect. Here we have a woman who started out as an atheist living with her boyfriend, and now she’s a Catholic nun who bakes and blogs.... Read more

Church militant?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s something different, via CNS: The head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Oct. 13 ordered all military chaplains to dedicate their daily rosary for the safe visit of Pope Francis to their country in January.Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. gave the directive during an Oct. 13 Mass at the military headquarters cathedral to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the date of the first Marian apparition in Fatima, Portugal. In a statement, the military said his message also asked all Catholic... Read more

“Those who love the barque of Peter ought to stay out of the engine room!”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s Fr. Robert Barron, quoting Cardinal Newman. Fr. Barron today brings to all the hand-wringing and garment-rending over the the synod a bracing blast of common sense. Take it away, Fr. Barron: One of the great mysteries enshrined in the ecclesiology of the Catholic Church is that Christ speaks through the rather messy and unpredictable process of ecclesiastical argument. The Holy Spirit guides the process of course, but he doesn’t undermine or circumvent it. It is precisely in the long,... Read more

A deacon is robbed—and grace takes hold

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

My friend Deacon John Gerke of Cincinnati was the victim of a break-in at his home this weekend. This morning, he posted on Facebook the press release that was issued by the St. Bernard, Ohio police on behalf of him and his wife Colleen. I reprint it here with his permission. It is, in every sense, extraordinary: Around 3AM on Sunday evening October 14, two young men, one of them armed with a hand gun, entered our home. While we were sleeping,... Read more

Holy See press office issues clarification on the synod relatio : “It is a working document”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This just in: The General Secretariat of the Synod, in response to reactions and discussions following the publication of the Relatio post disceptationem, and the fact that often a value has been attributed to the document that does not correspond to its nature, reiterates that it is a working document, which summarizes the interventions and debate of the first week, and is now being offered for discussion by the members of the Synod gathered in the Small Groups, in accordance with... Read more