VOA慢速英语2014 弗朗西斯教皇与主教审查天主教教义

 

Pope Francis, Bishops² to Review Catholic Teachings 弗朗西斯教皇与主教审查天主教教义

Pope Francis opened a major meeting of bishops at the Vatican in Rome on Sunday. The leaders of the Roman Catholic faith and others will examine the church’s teachings on family issues.  

It is the first time such a meeting has happened in 35 years.

For two weeks, the bishops will consider whether they should change the way the church deals with people who are divorced. They will also examine the faith’s teachings on people living together before they are married, birth control and other family and social issues. 

Almost 200 bishops -- and members of the Catholic faith who are not priests or nuns⁴ -- will take part in the meeting. Some church leaders admit that many Catholics take actions that are different from what the church teaches.

Before the Pope opened the meeting, he sent a message on the social media site Twitter. He said: “Let us ask the Lord to show us the way forward.”

Last month at the Vatican, Pope Francis took part in a wedding ceremony for 20 couples. Some of them were already living together or had children, both of which the church officially considers sinful.

I’m Jeri Watson. 

VOA correspondent Fern Robinson reported this story in Washington. Christopher Cruise wrote it for Learning English. Jerilyn Watson edited it.  

Words in This Story

bishop¹ – n. an official in some Christian⁵ religions who is ranked higher than a priest and who is usually in charge of church matters in a specific geographical⁶ area

priest – n. one authorized⁷ (allowed) the sacred rites⁸ of a religion especially as a mediatory⁹ agent between humans and God

nun³ –  n. a woman belonging to a religious order: one under solemn vows¹⁰ of poverty, chastity and obedience¹¹. 

faith – n. a system of religious beliefs

divorce – n. the ending of a marriage by a legal process

birth control – n. things used to keep a woman from becoming pregnant

sin – n. an action that is considered to be wrong according to religious or moral law

1 bishop   

n.主教，（国际象棋）象

参考例句：

• He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
• Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。

2 bishops   

（基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象

参考例句：

• Each player has two bishops at the start of the game. 棋赛开始时，每名棋手有两只象。
• "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and such like. “他劫富济贫，抢的都是郡长、主教、国王之类的富人。

3 nun   

n.修女，尼姑

参考例句：

• I can't believe that the famous singer has become a nun.我无法相信那个著名的歌星已做了修女。
• She shaved her head and became a nun.她削发为尼。

4 nuns   

n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Ah Q had always had the greatest contempt for such people as little nuns. 小尼姑之流是阿Q本来视如草芥的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Nuns are under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. 修女须立誓保持清贫、贞洁、顺从。 来自辞典例句

5 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

6 geographical   

adj.地理的；地区(性)的

参考例句：

• The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.当前的调查将在更广泛的地域范围內进行。
• These birds have a wide geographical distribution.这些鸟的地理分布很广。

7 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

8 rites   

仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to administer the last rites to sb 给某人举行临终圣事
• He is interested in mystic rites and ceremonies. 他对神秘的仪式感兴趣。

9 mediatory   

斡旋的，调解的

参考例句：

• The constitution of mediatory acceptance of bribe has always been a problem at issue. 斡旋受贿的构成一直是有争议的问题。

10 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。

11 obedience   

n.服从，顺从

参考例句：

• Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
• Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。