FAITH/STORIES
VATICAN CITY -- The first week of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon saw support for the priestly ordination of married indigenous men, impassioned pleas for respect for indigenous culture and denunciations of violence against the earth.
Vatican security chief resigns following leak of internal document
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Domenico Giani, head of the Vatican police, nearly two weeks after an internal security notice was leaked to the Italian press.
VATICAN CITY -- On the eve of the canonization of St. John Henry Newman, Britain's Prince Charles penned an article about England's newest saint for the Vatican newspaper.
Pope Francis declares Cardinal Newman, four others saints
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Saints are people who recognized their need for God's help, who took risks to discover God's will and to help others and who nurtured a habit of thanksgiving, Pope Francis said.
Protests in Ecuador draw eyes of synod participants
By Barbara J. Fraser, Catholic News ServiceROME -- Ecuadorian observers at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon are keeping an eye on massive protests that have claimed the lives of five people in their country.
Theologian: Women religious should have vote at synod
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- While the Catholic Church has made strides to include the voice of women, especially in the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, women should be included among synod voting members and in church leadership positions, a German theologian said.
Banners unfurled in St. Peter's Square in preparation for canonizations
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The Vatican hung banners of the Catholic Church's newly canonized saints four days before the Mass that would officially recognize that they are in heaven with God.
Synod looks at indigenous 'theology of creation'
By Barbara J. Fraser, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- By demanding respect for the cultures of indigenous peoples, Pope Francis was not promoting pantheism, but -- tapping into his Jesuit roots -- urging respect for a worldview that sees God in all things.
Bishop highlights need for lay ministries in Amazon
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Lay men and women involved in ministry have been fundamental in spreading the Gospel and furthering the Catholic Church's mission in the Amazon, a Brazilian bishop said.
Most Amazon bishops support 'viri probati,' women deacons
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Most bishops who lead dioceses in the Amazon support the ordination of married men of proven virtue, or "viri probati," as a way of addressing the lack of priests in the region, a Brazilian bishop said.
Synod participants: Catholics must recognize 'ecological sins'
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Synod members called for the Catholic Church to deepen its theology in a way that would help people recognize "ecological sins."
Synod participants call for greater role of women in ministry
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Synod participants offered several proposals to address the lack of priests in the Amazon region, including revising the formation program for candidates to the priesthood and instituting new ministries for lay men and women.
Pope Francis calls out 'conditional Christians'
VATICAN CITY -- Too many Christians today are "as long as" Christians, obeying God "as long as" God and the church meet their conditions and criteria for what is acceptable, just and righteous, Pope Francis said.