News

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.”

Relief worker sees the tragedy, and gratitude, of Syrian refugees in Lebanon

A Catholic Relief Services representative explains how less than a decade ago, refugees from war-torn Lebanon were fleeing to stability in neighboring Syria. Today the hosts are becoming the guests as the flow of refugees has gone into reverse.

St. Vincent de Paul members abducted in Syria, whereabouts unknown

The Society has not been able to verify or confirm reports that those kidnapped were being threatened with decapitation and their children were being held in cages.

Pope announces Holy Year of Mercy

At a Lenten penance service, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church's "mission to be a witness of mercy."

Forging uphill, and liking the challenge

St. Basil Academy’s basketball team didn’t win the Catholic Academies League but they have nonetheless advanced to the PIAA state quarterfinal game tonight. Solid fundamentals bolster their stifling team defense.

Court says Milwaukee cemetery fund can be considered in reorganization

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled March 9 that it would not violate the free exercise of religion to consider the Milwaukee Archdiocese's cemetery trust fund in its Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings.

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."