News
New pope, new leadership changed tone of visitation of U.S. religious
ANALYSIS -- During the visitation of communities of U.S. religious women, a shift in tone took place. The Vatican's final report on the visitation, released Dec. 16, made observations, not accusations. Instead of giving the women instructions, it made suggestions
Though painful at times, visitation was positive, speakers say
"Your message to us today shows that you do understand our ongoing struggle to faithfully serve the church in challenging times, despite our shortcomings and limitations," Mother Mary Clare Millea told the head of the Vatican congregation for consecrated life.
Vatican report calls U.S. sisters to fidelity while facing challenges
A massive Vatican-ordered investigation of U.S. communities of women religious ended with a call to the women themselves to continue discerning how best to live the Gospel while facing steeply declining numbers and a rapidly aging membership. The report offered the nuns six key recommendations.
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.”
Lithuanian archbishop worried Russian will move against Baltic states
A top Baltic church leader voiced concern about possible Russian aggression against Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and appealed to Western Catholics to be better informed about the situation.
Kerry asks Vatican for help in relocating Guantanamo detainees
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Vatican counterpart Dec. 15, and asked him to support the Obama administration's efforts to close the U.S. detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Pope Francis continues to take ‘the world by storm’
During the second year of his pontificate, Pope Francis was still feeling the love, and not just from Catholics or those from his homeland of Argentina.
Students assist those in need of heat in winter, help the environment
Not everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy the Christmas season inside a cozy home while the bitter winter wind whips outside.
Mom who lost son in Sandy Hook massacre urges people to ‘let love lead’
Nicole Hockley's message from Newtown, Connecticut, to people at two different venues in the Dubuque area was clear: "Our hearts are broken, but our spirit is not."
Use words carefully, pope tells Catholic media
Too often communications media have been used for "propaganda, ideologies, political aims" or for control, Pope Francis said. "Have the courage to speak frankly and freely."