News

Looking back on religious freedom, and where it’s headed

Archbishop Chaput traced the ancient and modern roots of the concept of religious liberty, its present state in the world and in the U.S., and what the future may hold during a talk Tuesday night at St. Charles Seminary.

U.N. looks at how women create a better world

As he opened a March 18 forum on Women Promoting Human Dignity, the Vatican's delegate to the United Nations said that "in the education of the heart, women are the world's professors."

Text messages from Mary? Do not reply, bishops say

The Catholic bishops of Ivory Coast said the purported emails and texts are not approved by the church, and most are "contrary to the teachings of the church."

Pope accepts cardinal’s decision to renounce duties, rights of office

Pope Francis accepted Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien's decision to renounce all "duties and privileges" associated with being a cardinal.

Catholic-owned company in Colorado wins permanent injunction on mandate

Hercules Industries was the first business to obtain a preliminary injunction and now "has achieved final victory in its lawsuit," said Alliance Defending Freedom, whose attorneys are representing Hercules Industries and its owners, the Newland family.

Pope Francis calls death penalty ‘unacceptable,’ urges abolition

Pope Francis met with a three-person delegation of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty March 20, and issued a letter on the occasion urging worldwide abolition.

In Holy Year, pope wants to share experience of mercy he had as teen

Pope Francis has recounted the story several times in the past two years. On one occasion early in his pontificate, he told members of Catholic lay movements about his faith journey, particularly the importance of growing up Catholic and the influence of his grandmother.

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.”

Not just pretty pictures: Church art is catechetical storybook of faith

Having so much world-famous art housed in Rome's churches and chapels has risked turning the city's sacred spaces into sightseer circuses.

Senate bill becomes human trafficking vs. abortion fight

Ten Senate Democrats voted March 17 to filibuster the Justice for Victims of Sex Trafficking Act over inclusion of Hyde Amendment provisions, which forbids federal funding for most abortions or abortion-related care.