News
Minnesota diocese settles with abuse survivors for $21.5 million
The settlement of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester for claims of sexual abuse will allow for a bankruptcy plan by the diocese. The state had opened a three-year window for lawsuits of historical abuse.
In Iraq, pope will see historic sites important to Christianity
Pope Francis hopes to embark on the first-ever papal visit to the biblical land of Iraq in early March in a spiritual pilgrimage to the cradle of civilization and the early Christian church.
Ex-seminarian’s suit against archdiocese, seminary in Rome called baseless
Officials with the Archdiocese of New York and the Pontifical North American College in Rome will seek to throw out the lawsuit by a man seeking $125 million in damages after he was not allowed to return to the seminary in 2018.
Iraq announces COVID-19 restrictions ahead of papal trip
Due to rising cases of the virus, the government announced the closure of mosques and churches "until further notice," including throughout the visit of the pope, who called himself "the pastor of people who are suffering."
Pope marks anniversary of Christians martyred in Libya
Marking the sixth anniversary of the beheading of 21 Christians on a beach in Libya, Pope Francis said on the Day of Contemporary Martyrs that they gave witness to Christ through their martyrdom.
Spanish lawyers act to prevent removal of crosses by local officials
Local officials in Spain are trying to remove crosses in public parks and streets, claiming that Christian symbols are linked with the country's former dictatorship.
Black priest a model for racial healing in church, society, says pastor
Father Augustus Tolton, now on the path to sainthood, can show "what it means to be one nation under God" and one church receiving "the same holy Eucharist," said Father Stephen Thorne of St. Martin de Porres Parish.
Cathedral rites on Ash Wednesday to mark start of Lent
Archbishop Nelson Perez will celebrate Mass Feb. 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul -- see our link for the livestream -- as Christians around the world begin their 40-day Lenten journey.
Food giveaway draws crowds in ‘moment of evangelization’
Cars and pedestrians lined city streets for a Feb. 6 archdiocesan distribution at a Northeast Philadelphia parish, whose pastor called the event "an invitation to connect with God."
Vaccine access one of many fights facing vulnerable Global South
The global network of Catholic charities has been reminding the international community that poorer countries "will be last on the list" to receive the vaccine, and they are challenged by lack of infrastructure.