The Pope’s letter to the Argentinian bishops confirming their interpretation of Amoris Laetitia and their guidelines should be considered as “authentic magisterium”. This was stated by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin in a note accompanying the two documents in the official Vatican ga­zette Acta Apostolicae Sedis (Acts of the Apostolic See).

In his letter, Pope Francis said the guidelines for implementation of Amoris Laetitia – which allowed for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion in some cases – reflected an accurate under­standing of his apostolic exhortation. “There are no other interpretations,” the Pope wrote.

‘Gender ideology’ to be withdrawn

The Peruvian government will withdraw a 2016 national school curriculum criticised for its “gender ideology”. Peru’s Department of Edu­cation announced that a 2009 version of the curriculum, which does not include the gender ideology concepts, will be implemented in Peruvian schools instead.

The Peruvian bishops’ conference had criticised the department for including in the new curriculum “concepts which do not proceed from the Constitution, but rather are taken from so-called gender ideology”. In August, Peru’s Superior Court of Justice ruled in a lawsuit filed against the department that the curriculum was an attempt to indoctrinate schoolchildren.

New political generation

Addressing a ‘Meeting of Catholics who assume political responsibility in the service of Latin American peoples’,  the Pope said: “There is lack of formation and replacement of new political generations. That is why people look from afar and criticise politicians, seeing them as a professionals who look after their interests, or denouncing them with rage, sometimes without distinctions, as if tinged with corruption.

“This has nothing to do with the necessary participation of people, passionate about their life and destiny, which should animate the poli­tical scene of the nations. What is clear is that political leaders are needed who live with passion in their service to the people, who vibrate with the intimate fibres of their ethos and culture, in solidarity with their sufferings and hopes; politicians who put the common good be­fore private interests, who are not intimidated by financial and media powers, who are competent and patient in the face of complex problems, who are open to listening and learning in democratic dialogue, who combine the search for justice with mercy and reconciliation.”

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)

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