Posted on 09/22/2019 12:17:09 PM PDT by ebb tide
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has personally invited Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego as well as ex-United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take part in the Amazon Synod next month, according to a full list of participants published Sept. 21 by the Vatican.
The two U.S. prelates are among 185 members to be invited to the Oct. 6-27 event, whose other participants include every bishop of the region, religious superiors, experts, fraternal delegates, and the heads of Vatican departments.
Cardinal O’Malley, a trusted member of the Pope’s Council of Cardinals as well as head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, has a strong interest in Latin America and is a fluent Spanish speaker.
Bishop McElroy has been a vocal proponent of combatting climate change, saying in July this year it should be a “central priority” for the U.S. Church. The synod, whose theme is “New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology,” is expected to focus on environmental concerns.
Despite the U.N.’s often radical pro-abortion and secularist agenda, Ban’s appointment as a “special invitee” spotlights the strong orientation by the Holy See towards to the U.N. and its goals, particularly on the environment, that has grown under this pontificate. A current U.N. official, René Castro Salazar, an American citizen who serves as assistant director general of the climate and biodiversity department in the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, will also be taking part.
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
If the Church is no longer the world’s staunchest defender of life, unequivocally, then why be Catholic?
The Church has solid and inspired principles against abortion, IVF, embryo colonization, asst suicide, euthanasia, EOL, etc.
Everyone knows this, it’s a source of scorn from the world, and pride for men of goodwill.
I’ve always felt the 100% pro-life stance of Catholics makes the Church worth belonging to despite crises and weaknesses, or personal doubts.
How can I call myself Catholic if the Church moves one iota toward a utilitarian view of humanity?
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