News

Cardinal-designate Cupich announcement doesn’t surprise Chicago Catholics

Cardinal-designate Cupich, who was appointed archbishop of Chicago in 2014, said he was "deeply humbled" by the pope's decision announced earlier that day that he would be joining 16 other new cardinals.

Cardinal-designate Tobin made news defending church aid to refugees

Last December, Cardinal-designate Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis made national news by defending the decision of his archdiocese to resettle a Syrian refugee family -- a decision that went against Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's ban on resettling Syrian refugees in the state.

Cardinal-designate Farrell has ‘deep pastoral roots,’ says USCCB president

Cardinal-designate Kevin J. Farrell had been the bishop of Dallas since 2007 but moved to Rome Oct. 6 to begin his new role as prefect for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, only to find out three days later that he would be one of 17 new cardinals.

Death penalty ‘does not fulfill justice,’ say Texas Catholic bishops

The Catholic bishops of Texas Oct. 10 called for the abolition of the death penalty, denouncing its effects not only on victims and others immediately affected, but also on society.

Personal conversion needed to serve others, pope says

Christians must draw inspiration from Jesus' life and renew their trust in God to fulfill their mission to serve others, the pope told the group Oct. 10.

Mary’s life is a lesson in trusting God, pope says

Imitating Mary's life of humility and gratitude, men and women in the church must place complete trust in God's will and not in material possessions or intellectual prowess, Pope Francis said.

Aid slowly makes its way to thousands of Haitians displaced by hurricane

The number of deaths reached 1,000 on Oct. 9, five days after the storm's 145-mile-an-hour winds and torrential rains slammed into the country, according to a tally by Reuters based on conversations with local officials.

Miami Archdiocese calls for prayers, prepares to help hurricane victims

UPDATED -- As Hurricane Matthew headed up Florida's Atlantic coast, it largely spared Miami and its environs. Storm surge flooding along the coast and into South Carolina prompted school closures through Oct. 10.

Archbishop points to ‘troublesome’ misuses of pope’s teaching on family

"While the exhortation does not contain any change in church teaching regarding marriage and family life, some have used 'Amoris Laetitia' in ways that do not correspond with the church's teaching tradition," Archbishop Sample wrote.

Off the beaten path: Pope looks far afield for new cardinals

Choosing new members of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis once again looked to countries and particularly to dioceses that were not and never had been represented in the body that advises the pope and bears responsibility for electing his successor.