News

Marriage is forever: Pope’s reform requires proof union was invalid

While the pope urges that the Church's annulment process be streamlined, and the administration costs waived when possible, he still insists that proof must be offered that the sacrament of marriage was not valid. A debate over the suggested "penitential" process for divorced and remarried Catholics is pending.

Appeals court rules against additional religious groups’ mandate objections

The University of Notre Dame and other Catholic entities in Indiana have lost their attempt to be automatically excluded from federal laws mandating contraceptive coverage in their health care plans. The U.S. 7th Circuit Court has ruled filing for 'accommodation' is not an unnecessary burden.

‘Priesthood is countercultural,’ seminarians told as academic year begins

A New York seminary is blending young men from various backgrounds for the purpose of finding common ground while meeting the challenges they'll face on the journey to ordination.

Pope: Priests lacking mercy shouldn’t hear confession; get desk job

Pope Francis calls on priests who hear confessions to remember Jesus's gentle and merciful treatment of sinners. He warns that even clergy must reign in their own temperaments when administering the sacrament of penance..

In parishes, enthusiasm for papal events is rising

Pastors in the archdiocese report parishioners' interest is picking up steam. Parishes are planning viewing parties for those who can't make it to Philadelphia.

Major league draftee, priest-coach find faith on baseball diamond

For those who love baseball, Berwind Park in the small Elk County community of St. Marys is a field of dreams.

Three new auxiliary bishops ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, together with Chicago Archbishop Blase J. Cupich and retired Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sartoris of Los Angeles, ordained Bishops Robert E. Barron, Joseph V. Brennan and David G. O'Connell to the episcopacy Sept. 8 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Priest offers Mass daily at destroyed West Bank olive orchards

Since hundreds of olive trees were uprooted to make room for a separation barrier through the Cremisan Valley adjacent to this largely Christian village, Father Aktham Hijazin, Annunciation Parish priest, has been celebrating Mass daily behind red-and-white police tape.

Pope addresses Catholics in L.A., Chicago, Texas on ABC special

Pope Francis gave words of affirmation and encouragement to predominantly Hispanic audiences gathered in Los Angeles, Chicago and a small town on the U.S.-Mexico border who had little clue they had been selected for a “virtual audience” with the pope.

Parishes must be like a welcoming family, not private club, pope says

"Churches, parishes, institutions with closed doors must not call themselves a church; they must call themselves museums," he said to applause during his general audience in St. Peter's Square Sept. 9.