The Vatican has clarified that Pope Francis' support of civil unions did not change church doctrine. A theologian explains what Francis is doing is departing from Catholic rhetoric on the family.
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Articles on Vatican
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The pontiff hasn't changed church teaching on marriage in indicating support for same-sex civil unions. Rather, he is reminding Catholics they should be concerned about justice for all.
The pope's message also highlights Brexit, racism and inequality as 'dark clouds over a closed world'.
As religious sites put pilgrimages on hold, a whole industry in travel, transport and accommodation takes a hit.
As Pope Francis becomes the first pontiff in the nuclear era to call for total disarmament, all of us – whether secular or religious – can engage through creative and proactive moral responsibility.
Early Christians were urged to 'supervise' one another. In the present times, that theology is often used by the Vatican for a religious investigation a known as the apostolic visitation.
Joe Biden was denied communion for pro-choice views. Catholics with 'unforgiven' sins can't receive communion. A theologian says many Catholics would question if Biden was indeed in a 'sinful' state.
Pope Francis recently completed a tour of three African nations. His visit needs to be understood in the context of the church's long history in Africa and its modern-day difficulties.
Last year, Pennsylvania’s grand jury report uncovered sexual abuse allegations by over 300 priests. A scholar explains how the report may have helped survivors come to terms with a painful past.
A recent Vatican commission report on women's ordination as deacons was inconclusive. But allowing women priests would help the Catholic Church achieve much-needed reform.
The Vatican will open its archives on Pope Pius XII next year. An expert explains the papacy of Pope Pius XII and the fear of communism confronting much of the Western world at the time.
While Pope Francis has publicly acknowledged sexual abuse by clergy, the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church still makes it difficult to report and address cases of abuse.
George Pell's conviction has opened a rift in Australian society, with many people questioning the guilty verdict. Pell's lawyer has said he will appeal. On what grounds could he do that?
Australian Catholics are drifting from the church, and research shows sexual abuse scandals are a main reason why.
The Catholic survivor movement in the United States was founded by two women: Jeanne Miller and Marilyn Steffel, in the late 1980s. It has taken close to 30 years for the Vatican to take action.
At times we just don't know what's the right thing to do. St. Ignatius, who founded the Society of Jesus, developed a method of discernment that can be useful even to those who are not religious.
The history of how the Catholic Church has viewed the words of popes.
For scholars, researching the Catholic Church can mean a laborious process involving several years. And talking to survivors of clergy sex abuse can carry its own pain and personal toll.
The Second Vatican Council made many doctrinal changes possible in the Catholic Church. An expert argues why the church needs another such council.
Pope Francis has been accused of a cover-up in the sex abuse scandal involving Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop. Experts explain why it's hard for the Catholic Church to hold clergy accountable.
Top contributors
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Professor of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross
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Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, Villanova University
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Instructor and Associate Director, Case Western Reserve University
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Professor of Theology, Australian Catholic University
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Associate Professor, Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide
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Timothy W. Jones is a Friend of The Conversation.
Senior Lecturer in History, La Trobe University
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Professor of Evidence Law, University of Sydney
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Director of the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy, University of Divinity
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Lecturer in Ethics & Philosophy, University of Notre Dame Australia
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Associate Professor of Religious History, University of Reading
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Professor of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross
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Professor of history, Queen's University Belfast
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Professor, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews
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PhD Candidate, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews
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PhD Candidate, Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies, University of Bath
