News
What does the Philippine church look for in a potential exorcist?
Dominican Father Winston Cabading, a Manila exorcist, said in early training sessions with potential exorcists, they found priests from provincial dioceses had brought in psychics whose gifts for detecting spirits did not appear to have come from the Holy Spirit.
Irish-born actress Maureen O’Hara dies; was icon of golden age of movies
Maureen O'Hara, one of the last icons of the golden age of movies, died Oct. 24 in Boise. She was 95. A lifelong Catholic and native of Ireland, she moved to Boise in 2012 to be close to her grandson.
House bill holds up federal funds for Planned Parenthood for a year
The provision is part of a reconciliation bill -- H.R. 3762 -- that voids some major provisions of the Obama administration's Affordable Care Law.
Energetic Georgia priest wins Catholic Extension’s Lumen Christi Award
The construction of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ray City, scheduled to be dedicated in March, is a dream come true for Catholics in this area of southern Georgia near Valdosta in the Savannah Diocese.
Peruvian-based Catholic movement pledges inquiry after claims of abuse
The allegations were described in a new book, "Mitad Monjes, Mitad Soldados" ("Half Monks, Half Soldiers"), by Pedro Salinas, a former member of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, who interviewed about 30 other former members.
Bishops from around the world plead for climate change action
The presidents of the U.S. and Canadian bishops' conferences joined leaders of the regional bishops' conferences of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania and Europe in signing an appeal for government leaders to reach a "fair, legally binding and truly transformational climate agreement" at a summit in Paris.
Hospice patients teach a lot about facing death, doctor says
Dying patients, in the view of a doctor working 40 years in hospices, can teach lessons of trust and gratitude. They offer four gifts: the opportunity to say "I'm sorry," "I love you," "thank you" and "goodbye, I'll be OK."
At hearing, stronger global response urged for Europe’s refugee crisis
In the two-and-a-half-hour hearing convened by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, lawmakers and witnesses alike described the refugee situation as enormous, unparalleled and one that cries out for a stronger global response.
Time is now to end centuries of prejudice against Gypsies, pope says
Treated to music, dance and songs reflecting a unique mix of cultures and languages, Pope Francis called for greater respect, integration and care of Gypsy communities.
Pope urges peace in Iraq; prays Christians no longer be forced to flee
He also urged the Chaldean Catholic bishops in the region "to work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation among all those engaged in public life, and contributing to healing existing divisions while preventing new ones from arising."