News
Global ratio of Catholics per priest growing more imbalanced
New Vatican statistics show there is one priest for every 3,314 Catholics in the world -- one priest for 1,746 Catholics in Europe; 2,086 Catholics per priest in the Americas and 5,089 Catholics per priest in Africa.
Monasticism sees a bump as people seek meaning
Monastic traditions -- including stability, silence, community, hospitality, love of learning and continual growth -- are becoming attractive especially to non-religious Millennials.
U.K. study shows link between suicides, assisted dying
A report found that the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide often "is followed by considerable increases ... in intentional self-initiated death," despite the laws' claims to the contrary.
Prayer, friendship keys to healthy priests, pope says
Closeness to God and to people, Pope Francis said, allow the priest "to break all temptations of closure (and) self-justification," and make the celibate life possible.
Church in Brazil shelters those who lost homes in mudslides
With rainfall surpassing 10 inches in six hours in Petropolis, 104 people were killed, dozens missing and many more made homeless. Priests and parishioners are taking them in.
Schedule set for synod listening sessions in archdiocese
As part of the church's Synod on Synodality, 18 local gatherings will take place March 19-20 and April 2-3 at designated parishes in the region, plus 10 virtual sessions, all designed to enable the people of God to walk together.
Grant will fund Catholic institutes, including at U Penn
A national network of six institutes of Catholic thought, located at top university campuses across the country, will launch as part of a $3.65 million grant by the John Templeton Foundation.
Tensions over vaccine mandates creep into church
From Australia to Europe, and from Singapore to North America, Catholics are reflecting degrees of resistance or support for COVID vaccine mandates and other pandemic measures, even as they begin to ease.
Third Lent in pandemic marked by ‘long-term, low-grade trauma’
Starting with Ash Wednesday March 2, this year's Lent coincides with an optimism around declining COVID-19 cases. Christians see a time for reconnecting and refocusing spiritually, using the "muscle memory" of Lenten practices.
Early Sisters of Charity owned slaves in U.S., research shows
Six congregations of the order owned and sold enslaved people in Maryland and benefited from slave labor in New Orleans and St. Louis before it was outlawed in 1865. Involvement with slavery was previously unknown but "shouldn't have been a surprise," said one sister.