Cardinal George Pell is warning of catastrophic consequences for the Catholic Church if Pope Francis does not correct “serious heresies” being promoted by the German Synodal Way.
“The synodal process has begun disastrously in Germany,” the Australian prelate laments, “and matters will become worse unless we soon have effective papal corrections on, for instance, Christian sexual morality, women priests, etc.”
The former archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney, who was imprisoned on trumped-up charges of sexual abuse and later acquitted, underscores the words of “some faithful German Catholics [who] are already talking, not of the synodal way but the suicidal way.”
Referring to Pope Francis’ invitation to lapsed Catholics, Protestants and even atheists to participate in the Synod on Synodality, Pell insists that “every synod has to be a Catholic synod, bound by the apostolic Tradition, just as Councils are so bound.”
“There can be no pluralism of important doctrines of faith or morals,” Pell categorically states. “Our unity is not like that of a loose Anglican federation or that of the many national Orthodox Churches.”
“Serious heresies” in the synodal process are “undermining and damaging the unity of the One, True Church,” in a manner contrary to “Gaudium et Spes’ call for engagement with the modern world in ‘the light of the Gospel,’” he observes.
US priests are ‘flourishing’ – but they don’t trust their bishops
Priests and bishops in the United States report overwhelmingly that they are “flou-rishing” in ministry, despite pressures caused by two decades of clerical abuse scandals and Church responses.
But while U.S. priests report high levels of personal well-being, they also have a widespread lack of confidence and trust in their bishops, according to a study releas-ed Wednesday by The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Priests reported that they are less likely to seek personal support from their bishop than they are from any other source, and said they believe bishops regard priests as “liabilities” and “expendable.”
Bishops have had mixed initial reactions to the survey’s findings.
One bishop told The Pillar he is grateful for the report, and praised the work of priests in American dioceses.
Another called the survey results an “examination of conscience” for bishops.
The survey report, “Well-being, Trust, and Policy in a Time of Crisis: Highlights from the National Study of Catholic Priests,” was published October 19 by The Catholic University of America’s department of so-ciology, in conjunction with The Catholic Project, a university institute founded to facilitate collaboration between the Church’s hierarchy and laity, in the wake of the McCarrick sexual abuse scandal.
The survey compiled data from 3,500 priests across 191 U.S. dioceses, and survey-ed bishops, achieving a 67 percent response rate among the American episcopate.
Despite declining numbers of practicing Catholics, diocesan plans to consolidate parishes, and fewer numbers of priests in active ministry, the survey found that the vast majority of American priests say they are “flourishing.”
Participants were asked a series of questions aimed at assessing their personal well-being according to the Harvard Flou-rishing Index, which measures life satis-faction, mental and physical health, sense of purpose, and quality of relationships.
Across the survey results, more than three-quarters of respondents reported themselves to be flourishing.
Delhi archdiocese’s multicultural, pan-Indian parish turns 50
Few parishes in Delhi or in India are visualized to look after the spiritual needs of the faithful, be they Indians and foreigners, who would be coming from institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru University and All India Institute of Medical Sciences besides others from the nearby Embassies.
Goa archdiocese celebrates mass media day
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman celebrated the Day of Mass Media apostolate by stressing the proper and safe use of social media.
“The media is often used to pro-mote personal agenda or create public opinions that are advantageous to those in power or for the benefit of business houses,” said vicar general Father Jose Remedious Fernandes, the main celebrant of the October 9 Mass at Lar De Estudantes, Altinho, Panaji, the state capital.
Christians back Anglo-Indian quota in parliament
Indian Christian leaders joined a protest by the microscopic Anglo-Indian community in the national capital New Delhi demanding the reinstatement of the minority’s representation in parliament and legislative assemblies.
The protesters wanted the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke a 2020 constitutional amendment it carried out, which ended the special provision.
Squeals, barks fill Mumbai church as priest blessed pets
Father Joe D’Souza walked bet-ween the pews, petting a Labrador, speaking gently to a Spaniel, stroking a Pomeranian.
Squeals and barks rent the Sunday morning calm of Church of Our Lady of Health in Cavel, Mumbai, on Oct. 9. Children from neighborhood too were delighted, as they watched proud pet-parents bringing their pets for blessings.
Asian bishops stress diversity, evangelization at jubilee meeting
Catholic bishops in Asia began a two-week general conference in Bangkok on Oct 12 marking the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ 50th anniversary, with leaders calling for renewed evangelization in the multi-religious region.
“As the third millennium marches along, history beckons and the Spirit moves: together we say: Onward Asian Church! This is the moment for Asia,” Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar, the FABC president said during his opening address to some 275 Church leaders from 29 nations. Along with Cardinal Bo, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, the head of the general conference’s Organizing Committee and Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Bangkok, the host of the meeting also stressed the role of the Church’s evangelization in the region, where Christians are a tiny minority.
Cardinal Bo told the gathering that their jubilee “is an occasion for proclai-ming that The Saviour of the world was born in Asia … Yes. We accept that challenge today. Christ, born in Asia, needs to be proclaimed to the vast multitude in this biggest continent.”
“As the dream of Christ returning to Asia, the Asian Church is called upon to exhibit an evangelical enthusiasm for justice and peace. The future calls for a pilgrimage of confidence,” he said.
“History beckons; the Spirit moves us; let us proclaim the missionary call to the Asian Church, let us make this a century of Jesus’ Good News to the whole of Asia,” said the Church leader from Myanmar.
In a message to the general conference, Pope Francis stressed the cultural diversity of the Churches in Asia and ask-ed them to meet regularly.
“It is important for the Regional Conferences to meet with some consistency, as in doing so the Church is formed, is strengthened along the way, and the fundamental question is: What is the Spirit saying to the Churches in Asia?
FABC gathering urged to adopt South American model
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) must restructure itself to make the Church “relevant and responsive” to the people of Asia, a top-ranking cardinal said.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, a member of Pope Francis’ kitchen cabinet, stressed there was a great need to restructure the Asian bishops’ federation and model it on CELAM, the Federation of Latin American Episcopal Conferences — the FABC’s Latin American counterpart.
The cardinal was speaking at the opening of FABC golden jubilee programs in Bangkok on Oct. 12, where he said suggestions for the restructuring of the FABC have the approval of top Vatican officials, including Pope Francis.
By the end of the two-week meeting on Oct. 30, along with its final document, “plans for a restructured FABC will also have been finalized, or at least a direction for them set,” Cardinal Gracias said.
“I cannot stress how vital our role at this general conference is. We are undertaking to become and remain a prophetic, relevant, and responsive Asian Church at the service of the people of Asia,” he said.
Arunachal’s Miao diocese gets first priest from Ollo tribe
Miao diocese in Arunachal Pradesh has ordained its first priest of indigenous origin.
Salesian Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao on October 11 ordained Father Vincent Rangwang, belonging to the Ollo tribe, at his home parish at Lazu in Tirap district
Auxiliary Bishop Dennis of Miao was present along with a large gathering of priests, wo-men religious, friends and relatives from across east Arunachal Pradesh.
Congratulating Father Rangwang on becoming the first tribal priest of Miao diocese, Bishop Palliparambil said, “This indeed is a proud mo-ment for the Ollo community and for everyone in the dio-cese. However, Father Vincent now belongs not just to the Ollo community but to the whole world.”
Father Rangwang has been ordained for the Congregation of Missionaries of Compassion (MOC), based in Aliabad, Hyderabad.
“Even though you have your strong tribal roots, now the whole world is your family. May you sanctify yourself daily to lead all the people to God,” the bishop told the new priest.
International consultation to seek Christian response to healing ministry
An international consultation began on October 10 in Thailand’s Chiang Mai city to seek a Christian response to health and healing ministry in Asia. Around 60 people, including medical professionals, pastoral care providers, and leaders of Churches, ecumenical councils, and health-related organizations as well as institutions from across Asia, are attending the October 10-12 consultation organized by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).
The consultation on the campus of Payap University in Chiang Mai is addressing the theme “Faith, Health and Healing: Christian Response in Contemporary Asia.” At the end, it is expected to formulate and adopt an ecumenical declaration on health, healing, and the right to life.