News
Seal of confession is absolute, even after penitent dies, officials say
The secrecy of a confession is so serious that a priest would be excommunicated for revealing the contents of a confession when ordered to testify by a court, said officials at a Vatican conference this week.
Pope calls accountants to remember real people behind the numbers
Meeting with thousands of accountants from around the world, Pope Francis said they are called to reach out to needy people, get creative with intractable problems and ensure human dignity in the face of bureaucracy.
Pleading for peace, bishops in Mexico call violence a ‘national crisis’
Impassioned pleas for peace and justice are rising from ordinary Mexicans marching in the streets, as well as Pope Francis and Mexican bishops, after 43 teacher trainees were allegedly captured by crooked cops, killed by organized gangsters and burned.
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.”
Franciscan sister dies, served mostly as a teacher for 67 years
Sister Adele Siwak, O.S.F., died Nov. 6 at age 88. She taught for a combined 60 years in schools of the Philadelphia and Baltimore archdioceses.
Saints come to life in reports by second graders
The second graders at St. Christopher School in Northeast Philadelphia conducted research, created a report, made a costume and delivered the report in the character of their favorite saint.
Catholic-Muslim summit condemns terrorism
Two dozen Catholic and Muslim leaders meeting at the Vatican this week rejected all acts of violence committed in the name of religion. They also discussed ways to collaborate more in serving society.
Human and economic impact of climate change studied at Villanova
A panel discussion Tuesday night explored the effects of climate change on U.S. national security, the rural poor and emerging Catholic teaching on the topic.
Conference called ‘strong sign’ of importance of traditional marriage
A Southern Baptist leader who will speak at a Vatican-sponsored conference next week on traditional marriage called the gathering "a strong sign that shows that marriage is necessary for human nourishing."
Program for families’ congress stays positive, doesn’t shy away from issues
Discussions of sexuality are only part of the program of talks for the 2015 World Meeting of Families made public this week. Relationships in the family, with God, and in the community and the world remain the focus, says the head of programming.