News

Foundation of faith: Religious patch cracks left in wake of disaster

When the Benedictine monks in Norcia led residents in prayer before the ruins of their medieval city, they showed one way the church steps into action in times of crisis.

In initial vote, majority of D.C. Council supports assisted suicide bill

The council voted 11-2 to pass the "Death with Dignity Act" that would allow a physician to legally prescribe the drugs to patients who have been deemed mentally competent and who have received a terminal diagnosis of six months or less.

Panel ponders path to civility following presidential election

If Catholics have a role in helping heal divisions after a turbulent presidential election year, they may need to start looking inward, according to some panelists at a Nov. 1 forum.

Clergy deliver documents about black Catholic movement to Notre Dame

The group visited the archives Oct. 24 in advance of Black Catholic History Month in November. The observance was established in 1990 by the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus.

All Souls feast is a hopeful reminder of the resurrection, pope says

Through his death on the cross, Jesus "opened for us the door of hope where we will contemplate God," the pope said Nov. 2 at an evening Mass amid the tombs of Rome's Prima Porta cemetery.

All Souls’ Day customs from Mexico head north

Mexico's colorful celebration, which marks the feast in a grand manner, with food, art and music, while families clean the final resting place of their loved ones at local cemeteries, has migrated north, at least in a commercial fashion.

Father Donald Birch, who ‘lived the beatitudes,’ dies at 76

Priest friends remember the pastor emeritus of the former St. Joseph the Worker Parish as a spiritual man of simple faith who remained in active ministry despite major health problems for much of his career.

Iowa bishop says diocese stands ‘in solidarity’ with local police

The two Des Moines-area police officers were shot shortly after 1 a.m. local time less than two miles apart in separate ambush-style attacks while they were in their patrol cars.

Maronite patriarch hopes election of Lebanese president speeds unity

Under Lebanon's power-sharing system, the presidential post is reserved for a Maronite Catholic. Michel Aoun, 81, elected Oct. 31, is the only Christian head of state in the Arab world.

Reach out to the poor, says cardinal honored by Catholic Extension

After what has been a "bruising election campaign," Americans "need to recoup" and remind themselves of "what wonders God has done in us and through us" for the country, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick said Oct. 27.