The majority of American Catholics support same-sex marriage, are in favour of the ordination of women and have a favourable opinion of Pope Francis. These results were given by Quinnipiac University after conducting a survey, the results of which were releaved on October 4.
Fifty-three per cent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly, and 65 per cent of Catholics who attend Mass less frequently would support a law allowing same-sex marriage. Women support it more than men. Only among those older than 65 is a majority against same-sex marriage.
The ordination of women is supported by 52 per cent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly, and 66 per cent who attend less frequently. The strongest support was among those aged over age 65 (68 per cent).
Pope Francis is favoured by 93 per cent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly, and 85 per cent who attend less frequently.
Shared communion with Protestants
Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, the leading Catholic member of the Anglican/Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), has suggested that the Vatican may be willing to allow wider latitude for sharing the Eucharist with members of other Christian denominations.
However, he cautioned that he “wouldn’t like to predict the rate or the pace of change”.
US bishops’ pastoral letter on immigration
Colorado’s bishops have issued a pastoral letter on immigration. The bishops said that public debate on the subject should be guided by the following seven “essential principles the principle of the common good; the universal destination of the world’s resources and the right to private property; the dignity and rights of all migrants, including undocumented people, should be respected and protected; the creation of nations and the right to control borders are legitimate; the right to emigrate and respect for local laws; that refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection; and authentic integration of immigrants and the enforcement of laws.
Legionaries of Christ set for a new chapter
The Legionaries of Christ will hold an extraordinary general chapter in January to elect new leaders and approve a new constitution. The order has been in crisis after revelations that its founder, the late Fr Marcial Maciel Degollado, fathered children and sexually abused seminarians.
The general chapter was announced in a letter by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, who was appointed by retired Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 to govern the order during the transition. This announcement was made in a letter to the 953 priests and the hundreds seminarians of the order.
The constitutions adopted by the delegates – expected to be about 60 priests – must be approved by Pope Francis before they take effect.
Orthodox churches mark Edict of Milan
The 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan was marked by Eastern Orthodox churches gathered in Nis, Serbia. Roman Emperor Constantine, who issued the edict legalising Christianity, was born in this city.
“Many Christians are being persecuted in the Middle East, in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria and other places,” said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. “They cherish everyone and are persecuted by all.”
Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow said Christians should help Europeans realise and sense the importance of Christianity in shaping the spiritual and moral profile of Europeans.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)