News
Government reps say Christian survival in Middle East ‘in question’
In a joint statement, representatives of more than 50 countries have recognized that Christians are particularly endangered in the Middle East, and they called on the international community to reaffirm the human right to freedom of religion.
Congress urged to take multi-prong approach to religious persecution
A U.S. bishop who recently visited with refugees in Iraq told a Senate subcommittee March 11 that a multi-pronged approach is needed to combat a wide range of humanitarian problems including religious persecution.
Doctrinal chief says bishops must be accountable in abuse prevention
Bishops of dioceses around the world have an obligation to work to prevent clerical sexual abuse and to ensure that priests in their dioceses do not commit acts of abuse, said Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
‘My pontificate will be brief,’ pope says, reflecting on 2 years of his papacy
In a new interview, Pope Francis recalled the events of his election and said he is convinced God wants the church to focus on better serving families. "I think the Lord wants us to face this."
Brookings study finds higher abortion rates among affluent women
A recent study released by the Brookings Institution in Washington finds that single women whose income is 400 percent of the federal poverty line or higher are nearly four times as likely to opt for an abortion when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
Filipinos join fast for climate justice with Typhoon Haiyan in mind
Participants, meeting in Manila March 11 to prepare for the day of fasting March 27, said their action is meant to call attention to the need for immediate action in the wake of worsening natural disasters.
Listen to young people, take seriously their radar for fakes, pope says
Young people are honest and bold in identifying fakes, which is something church leaders should not be afraid of, Pope Francis told the bishops of South Korea and Mongolia.
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.”
Vatican watcher sees ‘something extraordinary going on’ with Pope Francis
Longtime journalist John Allen, speaking at the Cardinal John Foley lecture Tuesday night, pointed to the pope's mastery of communications, his personal qualities underlying it and how all Catholics should employ it.
After his two years as pope, ‘Francis effect’ has taken hold
Pope Francis provides both comfort and challenges to Catholics, according to a panel of U.S. Catholic leaders March 10. He is "reimagining how the church presents itself to the world," said one speaker.