International
Synod approves women’s access to diaconate, calls for greater inclusion in the church
The final document approved by the Synod on Synodality, a major listening project in the Catholic Church initiated by Pope Francis in 2021, opens the door for women to access the diaconate, an ordained ministry similar to that of priests, which allows, among other things, to baptize, bless marriages, and celebrate the liturgy of the Word. Until now, this ministry has been reserved exclusively for men in the Catholic Church.
Paragraph 60 of this document—which is non-binding and merely reflects the majority opinion of the 368 synod fathers and mothers who participated in the synodal assembly over the past three weeks—states that “the question of women’s access to the diaconal ministry remains open.”
“Greater discernment is necessary in this regard,” the text reads. It also calls for “the full application of all opportunities already provided for in current legislation regarding the role of women, particularly in areas that have yet to be explored.” “There is nothing in women that prevents them from assuming leadership roles in the churches: what comes from the Holy Spirit must not be stopped,” the text continues.
Additionally, the document calls for more attention to be paid to “the language and imagery used in preaching, teaching, catechesis, and the drafting of official church documents, giving more space to the contributions of holy women, theologians, and mystics.”
The Vatican also provided a tally of the votes received for each of the 155 paragraphs that make up this document.
Thus, the aforementioned paragraph 60, which discusses the role of women in the Church and states that they continue to encounter “obstacles to obtaining fuller recognition of their charisms, vocation, and place in the various areas of church life,” was validated with 258 votes in favor and 97 against, making it, by far, the most opposed section.
In fact, the remaining paragraphs, which include other concrete proposals to make the Church a more inclusive and less clerical space, found greater consensus, as only two other proposals faced opposition of more than 40 votes against.
One of these is paragraph 125, which proposes that Episcopal Conferences may have a theological and legal statute, as well as further defining their doctrinal and disciplinary competencies without jeopardizing “the unity and catholicity of the Church.”
Specifically, it notes that this competency “can favor the authentic teaching of the one faith in a contextually appropriate manner, identifying liturgical, catechetical, and disciplinary expressions.”
Paragraph 148 has also faced opposition—it emphasizes the need for the discernment and formation processes for candidates for the priesthood to be configured in a synodal style with greater female presence in the selection process—this proposal was supported by 315 votes in favor and 40 against.
In particular, it calls for a “significant presence of female figures” in the selection process of seminarians, as well as “in the daily life of communities and education to collaborate with all in the Church and practice ecclesial discernment.”
The final document also greenlights the creation of “ministries” specifically for laypeople, which would not necessarily have to be linked to the liturgical sphere. This possibility was already opened by the Second Vatican Council and illustrated in recent years through the establishment of the ministries of catechist, lector, and acolyte.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoOne survivor confirmed after Air India flight crashes with 242 on board
-
International4 days agoShark attacks child in Florida
-
International4 days agoOver 200 dead after London-Bound plane crashes in India
-
International4 days agoUncle Sam used in DHS poster calling for public to report immigrants
-
International2 days agoChina shows at the UN its “condemnation” of Israel for the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty”
-
International3 days agoICE under fire for detaining undocumented teen from Florida foster care
-
International4 days agoHegseth dodges lawmakers’ questions on potential U.S. invasion plans for Greenland, Panama
-
International4 days agoAt least five others involved in attack on Miguel Uribe Turbay
-
International4 days agoArgentine government says Cristina Fernández sentence was fair and free of political influence
-
International2 days agoDonald Trump’s government pauses its program of indiscriminate raides against migrants
-
International2 days agoTrump says he knew “everything” about the attack on Iran and assures that the dialogue remains open
-
International4 days agoEight Killed in Gaza as Hamas allegedly attacks Israel-Backed aid group
-
International2 days agoRight and far right leaders aspire to win the next elections in Latin America
-
International3 days agoIsrael warns of retaliation after iranian missiles hit civilian areas
-
International3 days agoCalifornia sues Trump over deployment of military forces in immigration arrests
-
Central America19 hours agoNicaraguan exile coalition urges Costa Rica to receive U.S. deportees fleeing Ortega regime
-
International2 days agoMore than 2,000 protests in the US will condemn Donald Trump’s “authoritarianism” this Saturday
-
International2 days agoCriticism of ICE in Florida for arresting a minor from Honduras and taking him away from a foster family
-
Central America19 hours agoFirst woman elected president in the Americas, Violeta Chamorro, dead at 95
-
Central America3 hours agoGuatemala cracks down on prison corruption with over 20 raids in recent weeks
-
International3 hours ago40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
-
International3 hours agoSuspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
-
International3 hours agoChina calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
-
International3 hours ago
Israeli strike targets Iran’s state news agency amid escalating conflict
-
International3 hours agoNetanyahu: Israel is ‘changing the face of the Middle East’ amid Iran strikes
-
International3 hours agoJudge to rule next week on injunction against Trump’s student visa restrictions
-
International3 hours agoTrump directs ICE to focus deportation efforts on democratic-led states