News
Not ruling on apparitions, pope allows pilgrimages to Medjugorje
Parishes and dioceses may organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the Catholic Church has not recognized as authentic the alleged Marian apparitions there.
Lebanon mourns former Maronite Catholic patriarch, defender of freedom
UPDATED - Church bells could be heard ringing throughout Lebanon May 12 mourning Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, the country's retired Maronite Catholic patriarch known for defending his country's sovereignty and independence.
Pope saddened by church attack in Burkina Faso, Vatican spokesman says
Pope Francis expressed his closeness to and prayers for the victims of a shooting at a Catholic Church in Burkina Faso, which claimed the lives of six people.
Pope invites young people to pledge to build a new economy
Pope Francis has invited young economists and entrepreneurs around the world to help create a "new and courageous culture" that finds new ways to do business, promote human dignity and protect the environment.
Be merciful ministers of Christ, pope tells new priests
The priesthood is not a "cultural association or a union," but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ's mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.
New Orthodox schism stalls ecumenical dialogue, official says
A significant rupture between Orthodox churches in Ukraine has brought the theological dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox to a standstill, according to a Vatican official involved in the talks.
U.S. church leaders in favor of new rules on sexual abuse reporting
U.S. church leaders welcomed the norms issued by Pope Francis May 9 giving clear direction to the global Catholic Church about reporting abuse and holding church leaders accountable, saying it confirms what they already have in place and also gives them a way forward.
Criticized by right and left, Flowers sticks to Catholic values
Local columnist Christine Flowers is unabashedly pro-life and pro-immigrant, which makes her anathema to liberals and conservatives. As she told North Catholic's alumni, the interconnectedness of Catholics means "we are family."
Montco moms got a head start on their special day
Archdiocesan Catholic Social Services treated several area mothers to an early Mother's Day celebration that offered practical self-care strategies, including tips for avoiding burnout, and a chance just to be with other moms.
Pro-life rally draws 1,000 to protest confrontational videos
A prayerful gathering on a center city Philadelphia street in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic on Friday, May 10 drew women speaking out against abortion, in response to a lawmaker's viral videos.