News
Malvern Retreat chief steps down, but not out of Catholic life
A longtime teacher and educational leader, and former seminarian, James Fitzsimmons reflects on retirement from the oldest and largest Catholic retreat center in the country.
Catholic groups, undeterred by Paris attacks, to attend climate summit
"As far as I know, everyone who was planning to go is going. It is such an important issue, at such a critical moment, that we have all been working toward," said Chloe Schwabe, director of the faith-economy-ecology project at the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
Vatican orders five to stand trial in ‘VatiLeaks’ case
A Spanish monsignor working in the Vatican's finance office and two journalists who wrote books exposing alleged financial misdeeds, will be tried in a Vatican court with the leaking and publishing documents about Vatican finances.
Sainthood cause for local priest approved by U.S. bishops
After Archbishop Chaput presented the cause for canonization of Augustinian Father William Atkinson of Delaware County -- the first quadriplegic Catholic priest -- the nation's bishops moved the cause forward, along with two others.
Syriac patriarch says Western nations have betrayed Mideast Christians
The head of the Syriac Catholic Church has accused Western governments of betraying Christians in the Middle East and said it was "a big lie" to suggest Islamic State could be defeated with airstrikes.
Pope condemns Mali attacks, calls for acts of kindness in broken world
The pope's words came the same day he had a telegram sent to the people of Mali, expressing his condolences and spiritual closeness to those affected by the latest deadly attacks there.
Upon parenthood, people’s political views grow more similar, study finds
Liberals and conservatives view the social meaning of marriage differently, but "the way liberals and conservatives actually experience marriage is quite similar," said a new study by the American Family Survey.
Church must not worship ‘St. Payola,’ but God alone, pope says
Pope Francis decried the temptation for the church and individuals to become loyal to money and power, from which comes "a bit of fun" but no joy. "The battle inside each one of us" is to be "always with Jesus, always hanging on his words."
Syrian refugees require compassion and acceptance in U.S., leaders say
Despite pleas from a Boston cardinal and the Maryland Catholic Conference, Congress passed a bill blocking Syrian and Iraqi refugees from entering the U.S. and governors in at least 30 states have called for an end to Syrian resettlement.
Palliative care home in Quebec to offer assisted suicide under new law
"When the patient's sufferings are soothed through proper medical care, end-of-life can be an outstanding opportunity to step back, to reflect on the meaning of life and to deepen our faith," said a Canadian archbishop.