Focus

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  Greater freedom than ever at the Synod

  Oct 22, 2015

  Cardinal Donald Wuerl has flatly denied the allegations by some of his fellow cardinals and bishops that the fathers attending the synod are “somehow” being manipulated by the Pope and the synod structure that Francis approved.

  
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  Bishops and synod should meet people where they are

  Oct 21, 2015

  One of the main challenges facing Catholic bishops today is to be clear about the church's moral teachings but then also to meet people where they are in life without just admonishing them, Washington's Cardinal Donald Wuerl has said.

  
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  Holy Year: Rooted in mercy

  Oct 21, 2015

  While the Holy Year of Mercy declared last March by Pope Francis does not fall within the customary 25-year cycle of holy year (or jubilee) celebrations, it falls perfectly within the tradition of this sacred observance, which began with Mosaic law.

  
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  What happens in a holy year?

  Oct 21, 2015

  St. John Paul II wanted the entire Church to enter the 21st century in a spirit of hope, strengthened by a deep-reaching renewal of faith.

  
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  Food for Thought

  Oct 21, 2015

  Starting in December and for the next year, we will hear much about the Holy Year of Mercy.

  
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  How a 'culture of distraction' is keeping millennials from marrying

  Oct 21, 2015

  Consumerism. A culture of distraction. Fear of commitment. These are some of the factors driving today’s young people away from marriage, said a theologian reflecting on the words of Pope Francis in the U.S.

  
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  Walking in communion and friendship with others

  Oct 20, 2015

  The bonds uniting the Church's greatly diverse members are important for a simple reason that often is overlooked: The Church's people need these bond

  
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  Obedience is response to God's love, not a condition for it

  Oct 20, 2015

  Obedience to God's commandments must be the response to his limitless love, but it is not a condition for his love and for the salvation he offers through Jesus, Pope Francis said.

  
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  What will the Synod’s final document look like?

  Oct 18, 2015

  As the second week of the synod draws to a close, it remains to be seen what the final product from the global meeting of bishops will be.

  
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  At synod, Cardinal Marx openly promotes Communion for divorced-and-remarried

  Oct 17, 2015

  After years of both direct and indirect remarks on the subject, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx issued his most direct statement yet in favor of offering Communion to the divorced-and-remarried.