News in Church Issues

Finding leadership roles for women in the church

Finding leadership roles for women in the church

by: Bryan Cones - US Catholic in Church Issues,

Even Pope Francis, while he has dismissed the possibility of women’s ordination, acknowledged in his September interview in the Jesuit magazine America that our challenge today is “to think about the specific place of women also in those places where the authority of the church is exercised.?.?.?.” 

Pope Francis has just released a new document titled Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel.”

Pope Francis has just released a new document titled Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel.”

by: JJimmy Akin - National Catholic Register in Church Issues,

Pope Francis has just released a new document titled Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel.” It is his first apostolic exhortation, and it is devoted to the theme of the new evangelization. It was written in response to the most recent meeting of the Synod of Bishops, which took place in October, 2012.

The values of Catholic education

The values of Catholic education

by: Thnking Faith - Nicholas King SJ in Church Issues,

The task of Catholic educators today ... is to offer to learners the possibility of an encounter with Jesus Christ.’ At the beginning of a new academic year, Nicholas King SJ suggests how Catholic teachers can and do respond to the challenges that are contained in this task. How can educators create a space in which today’s young people can find the Jesus they are longing to meet?

No place for Jesus in RE, but there’s always Gandhi

No place for Jesus in RE, but there’s always Gandhi

by: Cristina Odone - The Daily Telegraph in Church Issues,

Aged eight, my daughter knew that she must take her shoes off when entering a mosque. But ask her to recite the Ten Commandments, and she couldn’t. This, despite being at a Catholic state primary. I wasn’t too surprised, therefore, to learn that religious education in state schools is inadequate – so much so that Ofsted claims most pupils don’t know who Jesus was.

Ofsted: Christianity sidelined in poor quality RE lessons

Ofsted: Christianity sidelined in poor quality RE lessons

by: Graeme Paton - The Telegraph in Church Issues,

In a damning report, the education watchdog warned that teaching about Britain’s principal religion was “one of the weakest aspects” of RE lessons in English state schools. Ofsted found that overall standards of RE were poor in six-in-10 primary schools and just over half of secondaries.The subject was a “very low priority” in many schools, inspectors warned.

How to reform the Church? Let us count the ways

How to reform the Church? Let us count the ways

by: Dr. John C Keng - UCAnews in Church Issues,

 Four suggestions for the pope's 'to-do' list. Six months into his papacy, it is crystal clear that this Argentine cardinal, now Pope Francis, was very serious about what he said. In his words and his deeds, in what he has done and what he is laying out to do, there is no doubt that the Catholic Church under Pope Francis is facing a game change.

Archbishop Pietro Parolin Secretary of State

Archbishop Pietro Parolin Secretary of State

by: L'Osservatore Romano in Church Issues,

Pope Francis has named as Secretary of State Archbishop Pietro Parolin. This morning, Saturday, 31 August, the Pontiff made public having accepted the resignation of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone -  who has held the position since 15 September 2006 – asking him to retain his responsibilities until 15 October, Archbishop Parolin will take possession of his new office.

What Catholic women want

What Catholic women want

by: Elizabeth Tenety in Church Issues,

But many in the church are raising their eyebrows–and their hopes–over the first Jesuit pope’s call for a “deeper theology of women” and his note on “a lack of a theological development” when it comes to the female half of the world’s population.

Catholicism in China Today

Catholicism in China Today

by: Tom McGregor in Church Issues,

Can one really unravel the mystery of China? Perhaps not, but the country has risen to global superpower status. Accordingly, the Western world should learn more about the Chinese economy, diplomacy and culture. A better understanding of the Catholic Church in China could bear fruit as well.

 Lumen Fidei: highlights from Pope Francis’s first encyclical

Lumen Fidei: highlights from Pope Francis’s first encyclical

by: Catholic Herald - Reporters in Church Issues,
Faith transforms the whole person precisely to the extent that he or she becomes open to love. Through this blending of faith and love we come to see the kind of knowledge which faith entails, its power to convince and its ability to illumine our steps. Faith knows because it is tied to love, because love itself brings enlightenment.
Michael Gove said religious education had suffered as a result of Government reforms.

Michael Gove said religious education had suffered as a result of Government reforms.

by: The Telegraph - Graeme Paton in Church Issues,

The Education Secretary suggested a new strategy was needed to improve the quality of lessons amid fears over a decline in the number of children studying RE to a high standard. Major faith groups including the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church will be involved in the project to “improve the quality and celebrate great religious education teaching”, he said.