News
Pope blesses Louisiana anti-trafficking project
When Pope Francis posed for a photo Jan. 18 with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, it was not a protocol-dictated nicety; it was a recognition of the commitment on the part of the pope and of a coalition of state and private agencies in Louisiana to stop human trafficking.
Bishops visiting Holy Land: Christians must oppose Israeli settlements
"This de facto annexation of land not only undermines the rights of Palestinians in areas such as Hebron and East Jerusalem but, as the U.N. recently recognized, also imperils the chance of peace," said bishops who participated in the Holy Land Coordination.
Christian living requires constant battle with devil, pope says
Moving closer to Christ means facing daily struggles against temptation and battling against evil, Pope Francis said.
The ecology of burial: Choices reflect beliefs about life after death
A growing number of Catholic cemeteries offer "green burials," but do so emphasizing how the practices and the motivations behind such a choice must coincide with Catholic faith.
Pope: Catholics, Lutherans must continue to seek common ground
Although great strides have been made through 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, Catholics and Lutherans must continue to work toward becoming a full and visible sign of unity for the world, Pope Francis said.
Theologian: Christian unity possible but not a ‘call to ignore realities’
Disagreements among Christians have existed from the beginning, but there is a way to live in unity until disagreements can be resolved, said Michael Root, a member of the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue.
U.S. abortion rate at its lowest since 1973 Supreme Court ruling
The percentage of pregnancies ending in abortion is down to 18.8 percent, a decline of nearly two-fifths below is 1983 peak of 30.3 percent.
Church leaders say Kentucky’s new pro-life laws protect unborn and women
Louisville church leaders welcomed two state laws that place tighter restrictions on abortions, hailing the measures as lifesavers that will help parents and their children.
On eve of Trump inauguration, Catholic communities will pray for immigrants
The Ignatian Solidarity Network said in a news release that it asked its partner universities, high schools and parishes to organize events "recognizing the experiences of marginalization that immigrant members of communities throughout the country are experiencing."
Vatican policy promotes access to Jerusalem, self-determination for all
The key concern of the Holy See, and of the Catholic Church as a whole, since the Middle Ages has been for the Christian holy sites and Christian communities present in the Holy Land from the time of Jesus. The vast majority of Christians in the region are Palestinians.