Latest news with #RobertBarron
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV's name gives clue to how he'll handle social, political divides, bishop says
American author, speaker and theologian Bishop Robert Barron was at the Vatican this week to witness the election of a new pope, and he shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital about Cardinal Robert Prevost's "intriguing" new papal name. Papal names are often very symbolic with regard to how a Pope will serve as the leader of the Catholic Church. Typically, Pope's select the names of predecessors they admire or want to emulate. Prevost ultimately went with Leo XIV in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903. "He could have been Francis II, and we would have said, 'Oh, there he is clearly in the line of Francis.' He could have been John Paul III, then we would have thought, 'Oh, he's very much in that more conservative line.' He could have been John XXIV, and we say 'Oh, now he's a real revolutionary liberal, et cetera,'" Barron said. "The fact that he went back, well over 100 years, to this very interesting and pivotal figure … our new pope was saying, I too, want a critical engagement with the modern world, not simply a 'no,' but also not simply a 'yes,' not simply an acquiescence to it." Cardinal Dolan Describes Pope Xiv As 'Citizen Of The World,' Will Build Bridges With Trump Barron pointed out that Leo XIII was a pivotal figure due to the timing of his reign, which came during a moment when the Church was contending with the tremendous political and philosophical upheavals of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as the French and American Revolutions, and the introduction of philosophies such as Marxism. "The church's first reaction [to these changes] was very negative. It was a great 'no' to modernity. By the end of the 19th century, I think, with a certain distance and a certain critical intelligence, the church was willing to enter into a more, call it, creative engagement with modernity. And I think Pope Leo the 13th represents precisely that," Barron said. Read On The Fox News App The bishop pointed to the Rerum Novarum to further his point, an encyclical letter issued by Pope Leo XII in 1891. Bears Star Caleb Williams Issues Two-worded Reaction To Pope Leo Xiv's Election "In that document, [Leo XII] is a fierce opponent of Marxism, a fierce opponent of socialism and communism, a great defender of private property and of the market economy," Barron said. "So you say, 'Okay, there's that great 'no' to the left-wing economic revolutions.' At the same time, in that same letter, [Leo XII] comes out strongly in favor of the right to form unions. He comes out very strongly in favor of what we call the universal destination of goods." "In fact, Pope Leo says in that letter, once the requirements of necessity and propriety have been met in your life, the rest of what you own belongs to the poor," Barron continued. "That's not a just a standard, boring, mainstream point of view. That's a pretty revolutionary statement. But notice the lovely balance in that letter between 'yes' to private property, the great 'no' to socialism and Marxism, but the great 'yes' to the universal destination of goods. Leo sets the tone thereby for the rest of Catholic social teaching that followed him." In conclusion, Barron said he thinks Prevost's selection of Leo XIV makes the new pope "a very interesting player" in terms of the debate between the Right and the Left in politics. "[Leo XVI] doesn't fit – and I've said this 1,000 times – he and other great representatives of Catholic social teaching don't fit into our categories of left and right," Barron said. "They don't fit into Democrat-Republican, they're in a space beyond those distinctions. So, I think that's what's perhaps most interesting about him."Original article source: Pope Leo XIV's name gives clue to how he'll handle social, political divides, bishop says
Spectator
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Why it makes sense to have an American pope
Around 40,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square last night, the mood markedly more expectant than the evening before. While Wednesday had felt like a formality destined to disappoint, Thursday hummed with anticipation – and it delivered. The general consensus in the run-up to the conclave was that an American pope was unlikely. As the world's strongest economic and political power, adding to that the honour of hosting the world's most influential spiritual leader seemed excessive. The United States has also had the furthest to go in addressing the problem of clerical abuse. The ghost of the serial sexual predator Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has not yet been fully exorcised, and the Church still appears to be under reconstruction after its credibility was demolished by countless scandals. Robert Barron, the bishop of the diocese of Winona–Rochester, who has become something of an internet personality in recent years, summed up the papal pundits' consensus on an American pontiff in an interview with EWTN.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
A first American pope? Cardinal Robert Prevost's name comes up as a potential successor to Pope Francis
Who will be the next pope? Here are some potential candidates as the conclave begins Vatican City — Of the 266 popes who have led the Catholic Church, not one of them has been from the United States. While the relative youth of the nation means fewer than 20 of those men served after the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776, one prominent U.S. bishop has a possible explanation for the lack of an American leader of the world's Catholics up until now. Robert Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester in Minnesota, was appointed less than a week ago by President Trump to the new White House Commission on Religious Liberty. This week, however, he's at the Vatican with hundreds of other prelates as the cardinal electors gather for the conclave to choose a new pontiff to succeed Pope Francis. Barron has spent days speaking with the cardinals — including the 133 cardinal electors tasked with electing the new pope — as they try to figure out among themselves who is best to lead the church next. "Cardinal George of Chicago, of happy memory, was one of my great mentors, and he said: 'Look, until America goes into political decline, there won't be an American pope.' And his point was, if America is kind of running the world politically, culturally, economically, they don't want America running the world religiously. So, I think there's some truth to that, that we're such a superpower and so dominant, they don't wanna give us, also, control over the church." That said, one American name has popped up repeatedly amid the gossip over leading contenders for the role of pontiff: Cardinal Robert Prevost. He is undoubtedly qualified, as the only clear qualifications for the role of pontiff are that candidates be male and Roman Catholic. But emerging on top, with the necessary backing of just over two-thirds of the voting cardinal electors, will require far more than just eligibility. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost leads rosary prayers for the health of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square on March 3, 2025 in Vatican City. Getty Originally from Chicago, Prevost is the head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops. The powerful position means he oversees the selection of new bishops. For any cardinal electors who may be turned off by Prevost's American nationality, it's not his only one. He's a dual citizen, holding nationality in both the U.S. and Peru, where he served for many years. While Prevost is seen overall as a centrist, on some key social issues he's viewed as progressive. He has long embraced marginalized groups, a lot like Francis, who championed migrants and the poor. But, also like Pope Francis, the Illinois native opposes ordaining women as deacons, for instance, so on that point he's seen as conservative on church doctrine. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Groundbreaking new prayer book designed for demographic most targeted for abortion
EXCLUSIVE – Marking Down Syndrome Awareness Day, Bishop Robert Barron's publishing company, Word on Fire, is releasing a groundbreaking new book specifically designed to help adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, who are disproportionately targeted for abortion, to pray. Written by Mark Bradford, an advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, the book – titled "Let Us Pray: Catholic Prayers for All Abilities" – features simplified traditional prayers, large print for readability, and an accessible font for those with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Persons with Down syndrome are significantly more likely to be targeted for abortion. Between 67 and 87 percent of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted, according to a study published by the NIH. Kids With Down Syndrome Can Live 'Abundant Lives,' Dad Tells Fox News Contributor There are an estimated 250,000 persons with Down syndrome in the United States, and millions more with other types of intellectual challenges. Despite this, there has been no prayer book designed for adults with these learning challenges … until now. Read On The Fox News App "Prayer is meant for every one of us," Louisville Archbishop Edward Kurtz writes in the book's foreword. Kurtz, who grew up with an older brother with Down syndrome, called the book a "beautiful gift" for those who desire to grow in their faith but have no means to do so. Vance Vows Trump Administration Will Be 'Biggest Defenders Of Religious Liberties,' Catholics Bradford told Fox News Digital that he was inspired to create the new book when he saw his 20-year-old son Thomas Augustine - who has Down syndrome - having to use a book with "horrible illustrations" designed for small children to pray the rosary. "There are no resources like this for adults with intellectual disabilities," he explained. "I want this to be a resource that provides something beautiful to encourage adults with disabilities, and really anyone whose reading level is around the 3rd to 6th grade, to develop a habit of prayer using a book that was prepared just for them." Fox News Digital obtained an exclusive copy of the book. Bradford explained that through the book's visually striking but not childish imagery, easy-to-read text, and engaging layout, it can help anyone, especially those with learning challenges, to form a habit of prayer. According to Bradford, even the typeset chosen for the prayers is a unique font designed by a typographer in Holland specifically to assist dyslexic readers. Catholic Bishop Invites Americans To 'Take The Time To Focus On The Lord' During 10,000 Hour Prayer Campaign "Let Us Pray" includes four main sections: "Making a Habit of Prayer," "Getting More Involved at Sunday Mass," "Devotions" and "Prayers for Special Times," which includes "Prayers for Your Life's Purpose" and "Prayers When Someone You Love Has Died or Is Dying." The book even includes a portion on "Prayers to End Abortion," which acknowledges the "very sad" reality that many Down syndrome babies are selected for abortion because of their disability. "When some women find out they are going to have a baby, they are very sad and afraid. They don't want their baby — sometimes especially if they find out the baby will have Down syndrome or another disability," the book reads. "They need us to pray for them every day so that they say yes, just like Mary did, and have their special baby to love." There is also a section at the end of the book for the reader to write down their own prayers. Chris Pratt Calls Faith The 'Best Part' Of His Life After Teaming Up With Hallow App Despite the stigma often associated with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities, Bradford said that through "Let Us Pray," he wants to send the message that "EVERY human person made in God's image is called into a relationship with him." "Those living with intellectual disabilities can have a rich and fruitful prayer life," he said. "That needs to be honored with resources that encourage prayer and the development of that relationship with their creator that happens through prayer."Original article source: EXCLUSIVE: Groundbreaking new prayer book designed for demographic most targeted for abortion
Fox News
22-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: Groundbreaking new prayer book designed for demographic most targeted for abortion
EXCLUSIVE – Marking Down Syndrome Awareness Day, Bishop Robert Barron's publishing company, Word on Fire, is releasing a groundbreaking new book specifically designed to help adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, who are disproportionately targeted for abortion, to pray. Written by Mark Bradford, an advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, the book – titled "Let Us Pray: Catholic Prayers for All Abilities" – features simplified traditional prayers, large print for readability, and an accessible font for those with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Persons with Down syndrome are significantly more likely to be targeted for abortion. Between 67 and 87 percent of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted, according to a study published by the NIH. There are an estimated 250,000 persons with Down syndrome in the United States, and millions more with other types of intellectual challenges. Despite this, there has been no prayer book designed for adults with these learning challenges … until now. "Prayer is meant for every one of us," Louisville Archbishop Edward Kurtz writes in the book's foreword. Kurtz, who grew up with an older brother with Down syndrome, called the book a "beautiful gift" for those who desire to grow in their faith but have no means to do so. Bradford told Fox News Digital that he was inspired to create the new book when he saw his 20-year-old son Thomas Augustine - who has Down syndrome - having to use a book with "horrible illustrations" designed for small children to pray the rosary. "There are no resources like this for adults with intellectual disabilities," he explained. "I want this to be a resource that provides something beautiful to encourage adults with disabilities, and really anyone whose reading level is around the 3rd to 6th grade, to develop a habit of prayer using a book that was prepared just for them." Fox News Digital obtained an exclusive copy of the book. Bradford explained that through the book's visually striking but not childish imagery, easy-to-read text, and engaging layout, it can help anyone, especially those with learning challenges, to form a habit of prayer. According to Bradford, even the typeset chosen for the prayers is a unique font designed by a typographer in Holland specifically to assist dyslexic readers. "Let Us Pray" includes four main sections: "Making a Habit of Prayer," "Getting More Involved at Sunday Mass," "Devotions" and "Prayers for Special Times," which includes "Prayers for Your Life's Purpose" and "Prayers When Someone You Love Has Died or Is Dying." The book even includes a portion on "Prayers to End Abortion," which acknowledges the "very sad" reality that many Down syndrome babies are selected for abortion because of their disability. "When some women find out they are going to have a baby, they are very sad and afraid. They don't want their baby — sometimes especially if they find out the baby will have Down syndrome or another disability," the book reads. "They need us to pray for them every day so that they say yes, just like Mary did, and have their special baby to love." There is also a section at the end of the book for the reader to write down their own prayers. Despite the stigma often associated with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities, Bradford said that through "Let Us Pray," he wants to send the message that "EVERY human person made in God's image is called into a relationship with him." "Those living with intellectual disabilities can have a rich and fruitful prayer life," he said. "That needs to be honored with resources that encourage prayer and the development of that relationship with their creator that happens through prayer."
