Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod, noted that while "the Gospel will not change, my understanding of the Gospel can change" and that over the two millennia of the church's history it had proceeded with this dynamic understanding.
Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin has lashed out at the "pathetic responses" to victims of clergy sexual abuse and the "whitewashing" of crimes in the wake of the latest abuse scandal to rock the Irish Church.
"There has been six months of extreme weather and climate chaos" in Pakistan ahead of a historic monsoon season that has led to levels of destruction "hard to comprehend," said Columban Fr. Liam O'Callaghan.
The last governor of Hong Kong criticized the Vatican's agreement with China on the appointment of bishops and said Pope Francis has been "exceptionally badly advised" in concluding the pact.