News

Better music at Mass means closer encounter with Christ, composer says

During his two-day mission in Sioux City, contemporary Christian musician John Michael Talbot was by turns a comedian, a guitarist and a theologian.

World economy is built on trust; break it, and all are harmed, says Jesuit

Reflecting on the global financial crisis of 2006-2010 and the Catholic Church's efforts to "promote the common good of society," Father Drew Christiansen advocated for an "economy of grace" during a recent talk at Villanova University.

District Court judges in three states rule to allow same-sex marriage

Federal judges in Arkansas and Mississippi Nov. 25 struck down laws prohibiting same-sex marriage. Both orders were stayed until the states have time to consider whether to appeal.

‘The planet is sad’: Marchers pray for success of U.N. climate summit

Dwarfed by the grown-ups holding banners and signs around her, Ruby Arizabal clutched a doll in one hand and a candle in the other. "I've come here," she told Catholic News Service, "because the planet is sad."

In Turkey, Pope Francis got a look at Christianity on the margins

Ankara and Istanbul were gray and cold, at least compared to Rome, during Pope Francis' Nov. 28-30 visit to Turkey. And the general reception, outside of the pope's official meetings, was hardly warmer.

New senior facility in Port Richmond gets started with blessing

Nativity B.V.M. Place will transform from a closed Catholic school into an assisted living facility so elderly residents can continue living in their community. The project was blessed by Bishop John McIntyre with archdiocesan officials, civic leaders and area residents.

Pope urges Muslim leaders to condemn violence done in name of Islam

Pope Francis called on political and religious leaders across the Muslim world to condemn violence done in the name of Islam.

Pope, Turkish leaders trade concerns about religious discrimination

Interreligious dialogue dominated Pope Francis' first day in Turkey, with the pope and Turkish leaders frankly stating their concerns, respectively, about discrimination against Christians in the Middle East and against Muslims in the West.

Obama, Archbishop Cupich meet in Chicago, talk immigration

Less than a week after he was installed in his new position, Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich had a brief private meeting with President Barack Obama when the president visited the city to promote his executive actions on immigration.

Church, National Library of Ireland to make parish records free online

The Catholic Church and the National Library of Ireland have partnered to make almost 400,000 images of Catholic parish register microfilms available online for free.