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Many of the delegates at the synod in Limerick are lay people

Equality for women leading issue at synod

A synod in the Diocese of Limerick has heard how the Catholic Church needs to apologise to women to end centuries of treating them as second class citizens.

News • 10 Apr 16

Dr Diarmuid Martin (L) and Dr Eamon Martin will represent Ireland's Catholic bishops

Pope reaffirms Catholic opposition to gay marriage

Pope Francis today reaffirmed Catholic opposition to gay marriage as he opened a three-week gathering of bishops from around the world but said the Church had to show love and understanding towards all.

News • 04 Oct 15

Conservative bishops had vowed to change the language on gays, cohabitation and re-marriage

Catholic synod vote described as 'disappointing'

Catholic gay rights groups have described the rejection by bishops of proposals for wider acceptance of gay people as "very disappointing".

News • 20 Oct 14

Some clergy have expressed concern over the document

Clergy 'perplexed' over Vatican document

A number of Catholic cardinals and bishops attending a synod on the Catholic Family have said they are "perplexed" by this week’s conciliatory discussion document on breaches of church doctrine.

News • 16 Oct 14

Cardinal Burke says the Synod's new position invokes principles which are not defined

Cardinal concerned by new Church stance

A leading conservative member of the Vatican has said advancing positions softening the Church's language on gays, contraception and remarriage cannot be accepted by bishops in attendance at the Synod.

News • 14 Oct 14

The Synod has been called to discuss how the church should respond to increasing alienation among members

Pope urges Synod participants to speak their mind

Pope Francis has urged participants in a summit on the future of the Catholic family not to shrink from saying what they think because of a fear of what other people might think of them.

News • 06 Oct 14

About 200 cardinals and senior bishops as well as 50 others are attending the gathering

Pope opens synod on family and marriage

Pope Francis has appealed to participants in an Extraordinary Synod on the Catholic family - not to discuss beautiful and clever ideas - or to compete to see who is more intelligent.

News • 05 Oct 14

Pope Francis is to hold a synod of bishops next year to discuss issues facing the family

Bishops warned not to reform faster than Pope

The Vatican has warned bishops not to reform faster than Pope Francis.

News • 08 Oct 13

Synod