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Meeting on Sects and New Religious Movements Held in Vatican

Among those participating were representatives of several Vatican dicasteries, Pontifical Universities, the Italian Episcopal Conference and the Vicariate of Rome. In 1986, a brief provisional report was published entitled: “The Phenomenon of Sects and the New Religious Movements: Pastoral Challenge”, the result of a questionnaire sent out to the Episcopal Conferences two years prior. Since that time, the aforementioned dicasteries have continued their task of reflection, publishing an anthology of texts entitled: “Sects and New Religious Movements: Texts of the Catholic Church (1986-1994)”. Among those

Pope Francis: 'Be Open to the Newness of the Holy Spirit'

The Holy Father recalled the moment where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, giving them the strength to spread the Gospel. “Newness always makes us a bit fearful, because we feel more secure if we have everything under control, if we are the ones who build, program, and plan our lives,” Pope Francis said. “This is also the case when it comes to God. It is hard to abandon ourselves to him with complete trust, allowing the Holy Spirit to be the soul and guide of our lives.” We fear that God may force us to strike out on new paths and leave behind our all too narrow, closed and selfish horizons

Ongoing Formation for US Priests Tackles Modern Issues

The PNAC's Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ITCE) began offering ongoing education programs in 1971 as a response to the Second Vatican Council's emphasis of the need to provide spiritual and theological formation for priests. Until recently, the program consisted of a 12-week course offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters to groups of around 35 priests. The curriculum was revamped this past academic year. While the Fall semester continued the 12 week format, the Spring semester was divided into four three-week modules, each module focusing on a different subject, and each incorporating a spiritual re

Pope's Homily on Canonization of Saints

Dear brothers and sisters, On this seventh Sunday of Easter we are gathered together with joy to celebrate a feast of sanctity. Let us give thanks to God, who made his glory, the glory of Love, shine in the Martyrs of Otranto, in Mother Laura Montoya and in Mother María Guadalupe García Zavala. I greet all of you who have come for this feast – from Italy, from Colombia, from Mexico, from other countries – and I thank you! I would like to consider the new saints in the light of the Word of God that has been proclaimed. This is a Word that has invited us to fidelity to Christ, even unto death;

On the Newly Canonized Saints

Dear brothers and sisters, At the end of this celebration, I would like to greet all of you who have come to pay homage to the new saints, in a special way I greet the official delegations from Italy, Colombia and Mexico. May the martyrs of Otranto help the dear Italian people to look to the future with hope, trusting the nearness of God, who never abandons us even in difficult moments. Through the intercession of Mother Laura Montoya may the Lord grant a new missionary and evangelizing impulse to the Church and, inspired by this new saint’s example of peace and reconciliation, may the beloved sons and daughters of Colo

Social Media Evangelization for World Communications Day

The theme of this year’s Communications day is “Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization”, will highlight the use of social media sites, such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, as a means to evangelize around the world. The Pontifical Council is continuing to extend the invitation to media offices of Episcopal Conferences, Dioceses and religious communities to send their material before May 12th, which will then be shared on their official site. The initiative, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications stated, is “a new frontier of communion and participation.

Historic Meeting Takes Place Between Pope Francis and Coptic Pope Tawadros II

This is the first time in 40 years that a Coptic Pope has met with the Pope of Rome. On May 1973. Pope Shenouda III met with Pope Paul VI and signed an an important Christological Declaration in common and initiated bilateral ecumenical dialogue between the two Churches. In his address to Pope Francis, Pope Tawadros II regarded the meeting as “an unforgettable occasion”, since it marks the anniversary of their respective predecessor’s meeting. “May this visit of love and brotherhood be the first of a long series between our two great Churches. Therefore, I propose that the 10th of May of each year

Pope: Only Holy Spirit Can Speak to Our Hearts of God's Love

The Pope said this at the general audience Wednesday, which he dedicated to the theme of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. "Men of all times and all places want a life that is full and beautiful, just and good, a life that is not threatened by death, but that can mature and grow to its fullness. Man is like a wanderer who, crossing the deserts of life, thirsts for a living water, gushing and fresh, able to quench deeply his profound desire for light, love, beauty and peace," the Holy Father said. "We all feel this desire! And Jesus gives us this living water: it is the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Fath

Tweeting the Good News

Francis has continued Benedict’s lead in reaching out to the world through the use of social networks. As of now, the @Pontifex account post tweets in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, Germany, Latin, Polish, and Arabic. By reaching so many people, the Holy Father is attracting an audience that rivals most singers, actors, and musicians on the same platform. Surprisingly, the Latin language account has surpassed both Polish and Arab languages. Other languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese, have also seen an exponential increase in followers. Although Twitter has been seen as a marketing strategy for major

Pope Tawadros II to Meet with Pope Francis

With roughly 10 million faithful in the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, the importance of the Church in the “ecclesial landscape of the Middle East” makes this visit crucial in strengthening ecumenical dialogue. According to a communique released by the Holy See Press Office, the last visit of a Coptic Pope occurred 40 years ago in May 1973. Pope Shenouda II met with Pope Paul VI and signed an” an important Christological Declaration in common and initiated bilateral ecumenical dialogue between the two Churches.” With the ever increasing tense political situations in the Middle East, a “growing ra

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