News
Father Donald Cozzens, who challenged clericalism, dies at 82
The Cleveland priest and seminary rector spent more than 20 years writing on issues he believed church officials needed to address including transparency in decision-making, welcoming women into a wider roles and renewing church structure.
Christmas is time for sharing, not commercialism, pope says
"Let us not live a fake, commercial Christmas! Let us allow ourselves to be enveloped by God's closeness, by the Christmas atmosphere that art, music, songs and traditions bring to our heart," Pope Francis said Dec. 10.
Court keeps Texas abortion law in place, allows challenge to continue
The Supreme Court said Dec. 10 that clinics can continue to challenge a Texas law that bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law will remain in effect, but Chief Justice John Roberts urged the U.S. District Court judge to review the law quickly.
How does this happen? Catholic leaders ask after migrants killed in crash
A tractor-trailer carrying more than 150 migrants crashed in Mexico's southern Chiapas state, claiming at least 53 lives and leaving dozens more injured -- an accident highlighting the dangers of human smuggling through the country.
Our Lady of Fatima statue near national shrine in Washington vandalized
Ahead of a major Marian feast day, a marble statue of Mary was vandalized Dec. 5, with her hands and nose cut off, her face scratched and the cross on her crown broken off. Video footage showed a masked person doing the damage.
Pope closes Year of St. Joseph with visit to troubled young adults
Pope Francis encouraged the residents of a community in Rome that helps people experiencing marginalization, crisis or substance abuse to "have the courage to tell others, 'there is a better way,'" and to not be afraid of misery.
Vatican Nativity crèche inspired by Peru’s Andean region
The representation of Peru's diverse Indigenous communities in this year's 30-figure Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square embodies the joy and hope of their faith, said a Peruvian bishop. It also marks the 200th anniversary of Peru's independence.
Doctors: Advances since Roe confirm abortion ‘takes life of unborn child’
During the past 50 years, research on fetal development, including pain perception, has pushed the "viability" timeframe of 24 weeks gestation, which formed the basis of the Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion, to a far earlier stage.
Light shined on untold number of ‘missing’ migrants
The International Organization for Migration is revealing the plight of families looking for their loved ones -- 45,427 missing since 2014 -- though many know it's likely the migrants are dead. "Behind every death is a family searching for answers."
NYC Mass marks end of diocesan phase for Day’s sainthood cause
Although a group was formed in 2005 to support the cause for canonization of Dorothy Day, who died in 1980, it stalled until 2015 when Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Pope Francis shared a car ride and discussed Day during the pontiff's visit to the U.S.