News
Couple’s ancestors ministered to lepers, hanged for witchcraft
The roots of Jerry Nurss' family tree are tangled up in the infamous Salem witch trials. But his wife, Pat, shares her bloodline with a saint. The Oil City, Pennsylvania, couple -- who will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary in August -- quip that their disparate backgrounds have kept them together all these years.
Pope names new commission to implement reform of Vatican media
Pope Francis has set up a five-person committee -- which includes Irish Msgr. Paul Tighe -- to find ways to implement recommendations for streamlining and modernizing the Vatican's many communications structures.
Seeking a soul mate: Scientists, leaders pin hopes on pope’s encyclical
Even though previous popes have spoken strongly against harming the earth and its inhabitants, one world renowned atmospheric scientist said it is going to be Pope Francis "to save the day."
Today’s teaching on the family
See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Forum outlines strategies to end extreme poverty worldwide
With extreme poverty having been cut in half over the last generation -- and the Millennium Development Goals target of poverty halving having been achieved five years ahead of the 2015 deadline -- veterans of the global war on poverty believe it is possible that extreme poverty can be wiped out in the next 15 years.
Belgian bishop: Ruling against archbishop could spur claims for damages
A Belgian bishop said the president of the bishops' conference urged Catholics to respect a court judgment against him for failing to act on allegations of abuse.
Church workers in contested Sudanese border region launch peace efforts
Catholic workers in the contested region of Abyei say the world has lost interest in the unresolved border feud between Sudan and South Sudan, so they are launching new efforts to make peace between the two ethnic groups that claim the isolated region.
Rabbi receives papal knighthood honor in New York ceremony
Rabbi Arthur Schneier, senior rabbi of Park East Synagogue in Manhattan and founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, was conferred as a papal knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester Pope and Martyr.
Vatican, Christian groups vow to fight human trafficking
Christian churches can and must work together to educate their members about the reality of human trafficking and to provide assistance to victims of trafficking, said Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the pontifical council assisting migrants.
Stability in Middle East must include Israel, Palestine, cardinal says
Peace in the Middle East will need an abundant flow of mercy, without which pockets of "power gone mad," such as Islamic State, "will multiply," warned Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches.