News
Here’s how you can help World Meeting of Families – volunteer
Ten thousand volunteers are needed for the September congress and visit of Pope Francis in Philadelphia. People wishing to help the effort can register now.
Catholics join efforts to heal, clean up, move forward in Baltimore
As the city cleaned up after a night of riots, looting and fires following the funeral of Freddie Gray, Archbishop William E. Lori said the church's place is to pray, be a voice for peace, and participate in a wider community dialogue to solve the systemic issues that led to the unrest.
High court considers place of same-sex marriage in states that bar it
UPDATED - WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The questions raised by Supreme Court justices as they considered April 28 whether they should rule that same-sex marriage should be made legal nationwide covered a gamut of rights concerns -- religious, equal protection, states' ability to enact their own laws.
Advocates on either side of marriage case make presence felt
Advocates of traditional marriage were badly outnumbered by advocates of same-sex marriage, but those backing marriage as between one man and one woman had the benefits of microphones and speaker systems. The backers of same-sex marriage had to rely on lung power to compete with the amplification devices.
Panel agrees civil discourse key to dealing with church’s polarization
The panel, the first session of a two-day event titled "Polarization in the U.S. Catholic Church: Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal," called for improved understanding rather than acrimony among Catholic who holds differing views on various social issues. The discussion was streamed online.
Lebanese cardinal to UNESCO: Christian exodus weakens moderate Islam
Speaking at UNESCO in Paris April 25, the cardinal, who is patriarch of Maronite Catholics, said Christians were "irreplaceable peacemakers" and, without them, "Islam will fall into the hands of fundamentalists." He called on Europe and the international community "to ensure that Christians remain in their countries."
U.N. head looks to religions for ‘moral leadership’ on climate change
To have development without destruction and "to transform our economies, however, we must first transform our thinking, and our values. In this, the world's religions can provide valuable leadership," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told religious leaders, scientists and scholars.
Violence erupts as Baltimore lays resident to rest
For four hours April 27, Freddie Gray Jr. was patiently and prayerfully memorialized. That peace, however, was extremely fragile.
Msgr. Lynn’s conviction reinstated by Pa. Supreme Court
The case of the former archdiocesan secretary for clergy took a dramatic new turn April 27 when the state’s high court overturned a lower court’s ruling that had released him from prison.
Inclement weather, logistical issues delay aid for Nepal quake victims
"The logistical problems are enormous and sadly, relief is being delayed," Father Pius Perumana, director of Caritas Nepal, told Catholic News Service April 28