News
International Criminal Court declines to probe Vatican over sex abuse
NEW YORK (CNS) — The International Criminal Court declined a request from victims of clergy sexual abuse to investigate Vatican officials and their responsibility for the abuse of children by Catholic priests around the world. In a two-page letter May 31, the court told the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights, which represented the victims, […]
Harley Davidson riders rumble into the Vatican
Some 35,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles arrived in Rome last week to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the American motorcycle maker's founding. There was room for faith among the rumbling engines, leather jackets and elaborate tattoos. Events began early in the morning of June 14 with Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, saying Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for 2,000 of the participants.
Catholics, Lutherans look to commemoration of Reformation anniversary
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Joint Catholic-Lutheran commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation must recognize the harm caused by the split in Western Christianity, the polemics that exacerbated differences and the progress made through 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, a new document said. “From Conflict to Communion,” a document released June […]
Report says ‘witch hunt’ tactics hurting CCHD’s outreach to poor
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the U.S. bishops' domestic anti-poverty arm, should "resist efforts that isolate Catholic-funded organizations from effective coalitions that are improving the lives of low-income citizens," according to a new report examining threats to CCHD's funding. The report is titled "Be Not Afraid?: Guilt by Association, Catholic McCarthyism and Growing Threats to the U.S. Bishops' Anti-Poverty Mission."
Pope says false ideas of freedom spawn threats to human life
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Ideologies and practices that destroy human life arise from false ideas of freedom without God, Pope Francis told a crowd in St. Peter's Square, including thousands of pro-life activists from around the world. "Whenever we want to assert ourselves, when we become wrapped up in our own selfishness and put ourselves in the place of God, we end up spawning death," the pope said in his homily during the Mass June 16.
Pope urges G-8 leaders to put politics, economics at service of poor, unborn people
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The goal of politics and economics is to serve all of humanity, starting with the poorest, the most vulnerable and the unborn, Pope Francis told British Prime Minister David Cameron, president of the Group of Eight industrialized nations. "Money and other political and economic means must serve, not rule," the pope said, adding that "in a seemingly paradoxical way, free and disinterested solidarity is the key to the smooth functioning of the global economy."
Hungry, stunted children a top priority for anti-poverty advocates
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The prestigious medical journal The Lancet has shown that more than a third of child deaths and 11 percent of the rate of disease worldwide was the result of mothers and children being malnourished. Malnutrition, which causes nearly 45 percent of all deaths in children under 5, slows children's mental growth, making them 20 percent less able to read and handicapping them so that as adults they earn on average 20 percent less than their counterparts who had a healthy diet as children.
Six women take vows as Little Sisters of the Poor
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York presided at the Mass of Religious Profession as six young women made their first vows as Little Sisters of the Poor on June 1 at St. Ann’s Novitiate in Queens Village, N.Y. The order of sisters operates Holy Family Home for the Aged at 5300 Chester Avenue in West Philadelphia.
Former head of Catholic Relief Services named U.S. ambassador to Vatican
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- President Barack Obama June 14 nominated Ken Hackett, retired president of Catholic Relief Services, to be U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Hackett retired in December 2011 after 18 years as president of CRS, the U.S. bishops' overseas relief and development agency.
Just say new: Vatican official calls for new approach to fight drugs
ANTIGUA, Guatemala (CNS) — Archbishop Francis A. Chullikatt, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, discussed the Holy See’s commitment to formulating a new, comprehensive approach to anti-drug policies in the Americas during a three-day session of the Organization of American States’ General Assembly in Antigua. Current policies surrounding drug abuse, addiction and related […]