News
Thieves confess, but relic of Blessed John Paul II still missing
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Less than a week after a relic of Blessed John Paul II disappeared from a country chapel east of Rome, Italian police arrested two men for the theft, but the venerated piece of fabric stained with the late pope's blood was still missing.
Rice Bowl begins with blessing at North Philadelphia parish
The annual sacrificial program collects funds for the poor overseas through CRS. Some money stays local to help 40 parish food cupboards like the one at St. Martin de Porres Parish.
Two types of HHS mandate cases are at different points in legal process
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Supreme Court is involved in two types of issues related to claims by employers who say they should not have to provide coverage of contraceptives in their workers' health insurance plans because this violates the employers' faith-based moral objections.
Cardinal says bill stops taxes from ‘subsidizing violence’ of abortion
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act "will help save lives and will reduce abortions," U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said Jan. 28.
Catholic identity must be clear, uncompromising, pope tells university
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholic universities must give "uncompromising" and "unambiguous" witness to church teaching and defend themselves from all efforts to dilute their Catholic identity, Pope Francis said.
Homily should show how God’s word touches Catholics’ lives, says bishop
MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- For Bishop Richard J. Sklba, "Fire Starters" is a compilation of the study, prayer, reflection and pastoral creativity that have been part of his more than 54 years of priesthood.
Virginia bishops vow to defend voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage
ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- Virginia Catholic bishops said they are disappointed that Attorney General Mark Herring will not defend Virginia's constitutional amendment defining marriage as "the union of one man and one woman" in upcoming lawsuits at federal district courts.
Indian cardinal opposed to ‘criminalization’ of same-sex relationships
BANGALORE, India (CNS) -- The head of the Catholic Church in India has reiterated its opposition to "criminalization" of homosexuality.
Church of England bishops approve ‘conversations’ on sexuality
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- Bishops from the Church of England have approved the start of "facilitated conversations" on sexuality following a report recommending that gay couples should be permitted to celebrate their relationships in churches.
White Army could be wild card in South Sudan’s cease-fire, says priest
YAKIMA, Washington (CNS) -- A Catholic priest who fled the recent fighting in South Sudan remains hopeful that a cease-fire will hold, but worries that an ethnic militia called the White Army may refuse to stop fighting.