Gloria.TV News on the 20th of May 2016

Conscientious Objection: In an interview with the Catholic French paper LaCroix Pope Francis was asked how Catholics should defend their concerns on issues such as euthanasia or same-sex marriage. His answer: “The state must respect [people’s] consciences. The right to conscientious objection must be recognized within each legal structure because it is a human right.”

His Favorite Saint: During the interview Pope Francis told LaCroix that his favorite saint is Therese of Lisieux.

Warning: LaCroix asked Francis about the lack of priests. In his answer he warns of clericalizing everybody. Quote: “In Buenos Aires, I knew many good priests who, whenever they saw a capable lay person, immediately exclaimed “let’s make him a deacon!” No, let him remain a lay person.”

They Love the Church: Francis commented to LaCroix also on the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X. Quote: “In Buenos Aires, I often spoke with them. They greeted me, asked me on their knees for a blessing. They say they are Catholic. They love the Church.” About the superior of the Fraternity he said: “Bishop Fellay is a man with whom one can dialogue.”

Councils: Pope Francis also asked for synodality on a parish level. Quote: “There are parishes that still do not have a pastoral council, nor a council for economic affairs, even though these are obligations under canon law.” Francis forgot to mention those parishes, which have no such councils because nobody is ready to take up the duty.