laypeople

Bishop of Mainz (Germany), Peter Kohlgraf

German prelate urges pastors to better persuade and convince: “People no longer swallow something just because a bishop says it”

Pope Francis January 14 at Mass at the Casa Santa Marta

In midst of Sarah scandal, Pope laments “much harm” done by “incoherent and schizophrenic” pastors

A woman receiving Communion (stock)

French women denounce exclusion as Eucharistic ministers: “It calls into question the equal dignity of the baptised”

People in the pews at Cologne Cathedral, Germany

Germans’ trust in Church, Pope dips as impatience for reform grows

Belgian cardinal Jozef De Kesel

Belgian cardinal says he “cannot exclude” that married men are called to priesthood

A woman sits alone in a church (stock)

Irish priests renew call to bishops to remedy lack of lay involvement in parishes

A Spanish-speaking congregation at Mass (stock)

Tens of thousands of Spanish laypeople denounce Church’s “excessive clericalism”, “high degree of paternalism”

A priest rests his hands on his stole (stock)

Vienna auxiliary bishop supports easing compulsory priestly celibacy

The new lay stole

New Swiss clerical ‘vestment’ gives lay men and women ministers step towards recognition they deserve

An empty church in Germany

German theologians warn lack of lay equality, democracy leading to “phantom Church”