Advent Group (UK) - Support Group for Priests & Religious
BISHOPS REJECT MARRIED PRIESTHOOD AND GENERAL ABSOLUTION
- Created: 02 January 2016 02 January 2016
BISHOPS REJECT MARRIED PRIESTHOOD AND GENERAL ABSOLUTION
29 December 2015 | by Liz Dodd
THE BISHOPS’ Conference of England and Wales rejected calls to ordain married men and permit services of General Absolution during a private session of its November plenary meeting.
At that meeting in Leeds a majority did not back a motion by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Seamus Cunningham, to support the ordination of married men.
The discussion, which was reported in the Northern Cross, the diocesan newspaper for Hexham and Newcastle, took place during a closed session of the plenary meeting. Topics for these sessions are not noted on the public agenda and the outcome is not made public with the objective of allowing bishops to speak freely.
Bishop Cunningham told his diocesan Council of Priests, who had asked him to raise the issue of married priests, that the bishops had a “calm and thoughtful” discussion about the tradition of the Church, the nature of sacrifice and celibacy, as well as the positive contribution of married priests. Following this the general consensus was “to maintain the traditional teaching of the Church for a celibate priesthood”, he said.
Congress Declaration
- Created: 02 January 2016 02 January 2016
The Final declaration of the Congress - One of three presentations of the book - my part in the proceedings i.e. a reflection on the theological motivations driving the communities represented in the book. The third is a communication to the whole people of God to be published on February 6th 2015.
Universal declaration Presentation Guadarrama Final Statement
European Federation Anniversary Book
- Created: 01 November 2015 01 November 2015
The European Federation of Married Catholic Priests are publishing a book to commemorate the closing of the Second Vatican Council. If you would like to reserve a copy odf this book, due to be available in November then please complete this form. The cost will be approximately £12 inc postage.
Pope sympathizes with married ex-priests, but doesn’t say they should return
- Created: 01 November 2015 01 November 2015
Read more: Pope sympathizes with married ex-priests, but doesn’t say they should return
Francis: Synod is unfinished business of Vatican II
- Created: 21 October 2015 21 October 2015
Pope Francis insisted that the Synod of Bishops in Rome is the unfinished business of Vatican II at an address to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the synod as a permanent body.
Speaking at the commemoration at Paul VI Audience Hall in Vatican City on Saturday morning, Francis insisted that both the process and the substance of the Synod, currently in session, is as constitutive and expressive as the Church’s own nature and mission.
“Journeying together,” said Pope Francis in an enlargement on the Greek words from which the English word 'synod' is derived, “laity, pastors, and the Bishop of Rome, is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice.”
The Holy Father went on to say that each and everyone has a place in the Church, and that the key to journeying well together is listening.