Little Interest of Synod on Synodality in Brazil; World's Largest Cath. Nation Lacks Synod Interest

 While fallout from Pope Francis's Oct. 4--29 Synod of Bishops on Synodality continues to fuel Catholic debate in the West, arousing disappointment in some quarters and cautious optimism in others, most churchgoers in Brazil -- the world's largest Catholic nation -- don't seem to have paid much attention to the whole  synodal exercise, the Crux website reports today (Oct. 31, 2023). 

In the opinion of many Brazilian  analysts, the unique realities of Brazilian culture, and of the Church in the world's largest Catholic nation, may combine to make the synod seem less relevant to their situation. 

"Most Brazilian Catholics who want some kind of transformation have a disagreement with their priest's pastoral approach. They might want him to be more progressive or more traditionalist. That's not connected to  great reforms," said Francisco Borba Neto, director of the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo's Center of Faith and Culture. 

Biden:Mid East Leaders Must Have 2-State Solution; Best Way to End Israeli-Hamas War

 As the three-week-old Hamas war enters what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says could be a  "long and difficult"  new stage, President Joe Biden is calling on Israeli and Arab leaders to think hard about their eventual postwar reality, the AP website reports today (Oct. 30, 2023).

It's one. he argues, where finally finding agreement on a long-sought two-state  solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be a priority.

"There's no going back to the status quo as it stood on Oct. 6," Biden told reporters, referring to the day before Hamas militants attacked Israel and set off the latest war. Biden conveyed the same message directly t o Netanyahu during a telephone call last week. 

Netanyahu: Mil. Opened 2nd Stage in Hamas War; Israel Is Fighting for Survival, Will Be Victors

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel tonight (Oct.28, 2023)that the military has opened a "second stage" in the war against Hamas  by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air, and sea,the Yahoo News website reports.

Casting the war was a fight for his country's very survival, he warned that the assault would intensify ahead of a ground invasion into the territory.

"There are moments in which  a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die," Netanyahu  said. "We now face that test and I have no doubt how it will end. We will be the victors."

"We Are in a Move of God;" Thousands Attend Free Chapel Services

 A special revival service went into its fourth night on Oct. 26 with plans to go through Sunday (Oct. 29), as hundreds are traveling to Gainesville, Georgia to be a part of a "move of God taking place at Free Chapel Church, the CBN website reports.

"The past few nights have been life-changing and we give God all the glory for what He is doing,"wrote Free  Chapel on social media on Oct. 25. We will be extending the Revival through Sunday night with Pastor Perry Stone.

"The unexpected outpouring has led hundreds of people to pack the altar of the church seeking forgiveness,healing, and rededicating their lives to Jesus Christ."

Parrticpants of Synod: It Isn't about Ideology; Lay People Vote in Unprecedented Experience

 In a letter addressed to the entire People of God at the  close of this month's synosd discussion, participants rejected suggestions that the process has been influenced by ideology and said contemporary Church must be better at listening and inclusion, the Crux website reports today (Oct. 26, 2023). 

Published Oct. 25, the letter called the synod "an unprecedented experience,"noting that, for the first time, lay people, including women, were invited to take part not as observers but as full voting members.

Through "conversation in the spirit," participants said they were able to share the "wealth and poverty" of their respective communities from every continent in order to discern "what the Holy Spirit wants to say to the Church today." 

Special Reival Service Occurring at Ga. Church; Hundreds of People Pack Church for God's Forgiveness

Evangelical leaders say a move of God is taking place in Gainesville, Georgia as hundreds of people pack the alter of Free Chapel Church seeking forgiveness, healing, and rededicating their lives to Jesus Christ, the CBN website reports today (Oct. 25, 2023).

A special revival service is heading into its third night tonight after Evangelist Perry Stone,Jr. was set to close out a special end times Series on Sunday.

"Such a powerful move of God yesterday at Free Chapel," wrote Jentezen Franklin, the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel. 

Fake Priests Charge Hundreds of Dollars for Sacraments; Used by Trusting Cath. in Modesto and Stockton, Calif.

 A number of Spanish-speaking conmen, posing as Catholic priests from Mexico, have been charging unsuspecting believers in Modesto, and Stockton, Calif. hundreds of dollars to celebrate sacraments, teach classes and issue certificates, and the Diocese of Stockton is warning members of the community to call 911 should they encounter these "wolves in sheep's clothing," The Christian Post website reports today (Oct.24, 2023). 

"They resort to intimidation tactics against anyone questioning their identity or authority,  often threatening legal action for defamation, although  these threats lack substance," a  release last week  from the Diocese of Stockton said.

The conmen are reportedly charging $600 per home visit plus $70 for each child they bless.