News
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.
Christian, Muslim leaders vow to ‘walk hand in hand’ to promote peace
Catholic, Anglican, Sunni and Shiite leaders vowed to do all they can to combat "ugly and hideous" distortions of religion, and to involve more women -- often the first victims of violence -- in official interreligious dialogues.
Vatican finances ‘much healthier’ after millions found ‘tucked away’
A brighter financial picture emerged after "hundreds of millions of euros" were discovered in accounts that did not appear on balance sheets, said Cardinal George Pell, named by Pope Francis to oversee the Vatican's financial reforms.
Church needs more women theologians, their insights, pope says
Pope Francis said he was pleased that five of the 30 members of the International Theological Commission are women, but the body that advises the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as the church in general, need more women theologians.