News
2014 brought a chance at change for millions of immigrants
The year 2014 brought potentially significant changes for millions of people who are in the United States illegally and either arrived here as minors or who have U.S. citizen or legal-resident children.
Pope Francis wants solidarity in creating world without nuclear weapons
Pope Francis called on world leaders, activists and people of faith to pull together to rid the world of the threat of nuclear weapons.
Mass, exhibit honor winners of national Christmas art contest
A special Mass Dec. 5 and an exhibit at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington celebrated the winners of the annual Christmas artwork contest sponsored by the Missionary Childhood Association.
In Philippines, lessons from Haiyan helped lessen Hagupit’s impact
Initial assessments by Catholic emergency responders showed significant damage to coastal areas of an island province in the east-central Philippines, where a powerful typhoon first made landfall Dec. 5, but church officials said in some parts, chapels that were used as shelters held their own.
Court hears arguments in Little Sisters of the Poor’s HHS appeal
Sister Loraine Marie Maguire said the U.S. government is forcing the nuns to choose between "our care for the elderly poor and our faith" by requiring the order to comply with the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate.
Pope calls for more ‘integration’ of divorced Catholics, gays
Pope Francis said the Catholic Church must consider letting divorced and civilly remarried Catholics serve as eucharistic ministers and godparents, and make it easier for Catholic families to accept their homosexual members.
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.”
Spend time in silence and service before Christmas, pope suggests
Before laying a basket of roses at the foot of a statue of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8 near Rome's Spanish Steps, Pope Francis recited a prayer he composed for the occasion.
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.”
Breaking the streets-to-prison cycle via restorative justice
Reconciling victims and perpetrators of crimes regardless of the judicial outcome is a key aim in restorative justice. It may be the next big thing in a system featuring mandatory minimum sentences, "three strikes" laws and capital punishment.