News
Mourning in Kentucky: Resolve to rebuild follows tornadoes
One of the most powerful twisters in U.S. history leveled Mayfield, a city of 10,000 in western Kentucky overnight Dec. 10, as numerous other tornadoes ravaged Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, leveling entire communities.
Vatican releases text for installing catechists, explains ministry
Catholic men and women formally installed in the new ministry of catechist, instituted by Pope Francis seven months ago, are not simply religious education teachers but represent a new, formal office and vocation in the church.
Synod official apologizes to gay Catholics, encourages their participation
LGBTQ Catholics, "who once again felt left out," are more than welcome to participate in the discernment and discussion process leading up to the world Synod of Bishops in 2023, a synod official said, apologizing to New Ways Ministry.
Mourners recall Dole as ‘genuine’ American hero who loved his country
World War II veteran and U.S. senator Bob Dole, and his "Greatest Generation," represented a "God-fearing ... and can-do attitude that defined America," said former Sen. Sam Brownback. "His death represents the end of an American era."
Father Donald Cozzens, who challenged clericalism, dies at 82
The Cleveland priest and seminary rector spent more than 20 years writing on issues he believed church officials needed to address including transparency in decision-making, welcoming women into a wider roles and renewing church structure.
Christmas is time for sharing, not commercialism, pope says
"Let us not live a fake, commercial Christmas! Let us allow ourselves to be enveloped by God's closeness, by the Christmas atmosphere that art, music, songs and traditions bring to our heart," Pope Francis said Dec. 10.
Court keeps Texas abortion law in place, allows challenge to continue
The Supreme Court said Dec. 10 that clinics can continue to challenge a Texas law that bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law will remain in effect, but Chief Justice John Roberts urged the U.S. District Court judge to review the law quickly.
How does this happen? Catholic leaders ask after migrants killed in crash
A tractor-trailer carrying more than 150 migrants crashed in Mexico's southern Chiapas state, claiming at least 53 lives and leaving dozens more injured -- an accident highlighting the dangers of human smuggling through the country.
Our Lady of Fatima statue near national shrine in Washington vandalized
Ahead of a major Marian feast day, a marble statue of Mary was vandalized Dec. 5, with her hands and nose cut off, her face scratched and the cross on her crown broken off. Video footage showed a masked person doing the damage.
Pope closes Year of St. Joseph with visit to troubled young adults
Pope Francis encouraged the residents of a community in Rome that helps people experiencing marginalization, crisis or substance abuse to "have the courage to tell others, 'there is a better way,'" and to not be afraid of misery.