Here's a rundown of the most-read stories on NCRonline.org for the month of September. The list is compiled with the help of Google Analytics. Miss any of these stories? Now's the time to get caught up.
5. "The real test of Francis' reform: touching the spiritually poor" by Hans Küng, posted Sept. 23. In the first of a weeklong series of analyses about Pope Francis' interview with 16 Jesuit publications worldwide, Küng looked at the groups the church usually ostracizes and how Pope Francis ministers to them.
4. "Australian priest, advocate for women's ordination excommunicated" by Brian Roewe, posted Sept. 24. Australian Greg Reynolds became the first priest excommunicated under the papacy of Pope Francis for voicing support for women's ordination. There was also a controversy about whether or not he gave Communion to a dog.
3. "What moral theologians say about getting involved in Syria" by Thomas Reese, posted Sept. 3. Reese looked at what ethicists and moral theologians had to say about U.S. military intervention in Syria in this long read.
2. "It will be hard to go backward after Francis' papacy" by Richard Rohr, posted Sept. 24. As part of our weeklong series of analyses on Francis' interview, Rohr examined Pope Francis' infallibility and what his recent statements mean for the church moving forward.
1. "Pope rejects church of 'small-minded rules' in Jesuit interview" by John L. Allen Jr., posted Sept. 19. After reading America magazine's English translation of the interview with Pope Francis, Allen wrote a quick summary for those who were unable to read all 12,000 words.