News
Atonement Father Carter dies at 91; was longtime leader in Brooklyn
The Black priest had initially been turned away from seminaries because of his race. He professed first vows as a Franciscan in 1950 but was not ordained until 1975.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory tests positive for COVID-19
The archbishop of Washington was fully vaccinated and boosted, and shows no symptoms. "Overall I feel quite well," he said Jan. 3, urging everyone to remain cautious and get vaccinated.
Sicilian diocese bans naming of godparents
Godparents had been used to strengthened family bonds within local Mafia families, rather than to aide in the spiritual development of those who are baptized or confirmed.
Dublin archbishop: ‘Radical change is coming in the church’
Resulting from the "synodal pathway," church structures in Ireland and across the world will experience "a renewal of energy and the adoption of new forms of outreach and ministry."
Vatican notes 22 church workers murdered in 2021
None of the 13 priests, one religious brother, two religious sisters and six laypeople "carried out striking feats," a church agency said, but they gave witness to their faith amidst extreme poverty, war or civil tensions.
Peace is gift requiring human action, pope says on New Year’s Day
Beginning with "peace in our hearts" with a "positive outlook," people must commit to peace with "concrete actions," Pope Francis said. "Getting depressed or complaining is useless. We need to roll up our sleeves to build peace."
Pope prays Christmas will bring yearning for peace, dialogue
Jesus was born to draw us closer to God and one another, and the many hardships suffered by millions show how urgent such compassionate encounter is, said Pope Francis in his Dec. 25 "urbi et orbi" (to the city and to the world) blessing.
Christmas traditions prepare faithful for the joy of Jesus’ birth
From posadas and novenas to seafood and spiders, beloved Christmas rituals connect believers to Bethlehem across cultures and through the generations.
COVID-19 causing a ‘parallel pandemic’ for kids, Vatican says
Two new Vatican documents outlined the situation children and adolescents are facing worldwide and how governments, communities and the church can respond -- especially by keeping schools and parish programs open.
COVID-19 vaccines present ‘no ethical problem,’ says head of papal academy
The Vatican has reaffirmed its support of COVID-19 vaccines with both the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life and a Holy See communique insisting that getting inoculated is "an act of love," while refusing them is irresponsible.