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In Iraq, pope hopes to encourage Christians, build bridges to Muslims
On his historic visit to Iraq in March, Pope Francis hopes to encourage his Christian flock, badly bruised by sectarian conflict and brutal Islamic State attacks, while building further bridges to Muslims by extending fraternal peace.
Pope: Markets need regulation to promote justice, not special interests
An economy without exploited persons will require "planning that does not look always and only at the very short-term gains, but at the medium- and long-term fruits and, above all, at people," he said Feb. 8 on the Day of prayer against human trafficking.
SEEK21 speakers share own faith experiences, say Christ has all the answers
The annual national conference of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students drew over 27,000 participants for its virtual events Feb. 4-7 and included college students, missionaries, parishioners, young adults, clergy, religious and others.
To overcome economic disparities, turn to papal encyclicals, panelists say
A trio of speakers on economic disparities in light of the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and poverty pointed to Pope Francis' calls for greater solidarity and sharing the goods produced from the earth rather than competing for limited resources.
Rice Bowl is ‘simple genius’ of the Gospel, says bishop
At the Feb. 4 launch of the annual Lenten initiative, Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre said the program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving sums up "everything that the Lord Jesus has done for us,” and invites faithful to "do as he has done."
U.S. Senate again fails to pass Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
In a Feb. 4 vote on the 2021 Budget Resolution, all Senate Republicans and Democratic Sens. Manchin of West Virginia and Casey of Pennsylvania voted in favor of the amendment, but 48 Senate Democrats blocked it, which required 60 votes to pass.
Social ministers essential to common good of society, archbishop tells gathering
"You witness to our society," Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles said to hundreds of the church's social ministers gathered online for a Feb. 6 virtual Mass as part of the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. They shared stories of hardship due to the pandemic.
Catholic school enrollment, hit by pandemic, is at its lowest in 50 years
While enrollment in Catholic secondary schools dropped only 2.5% from the previous year, Catholic elementary school students declined by 8.1%, which could impact secondary school numbers within the next five to 10 years. Overall enrollment was down 6.4%, 111,000 students.
Kelly to succeed Anderson as Knights of Columbus CEO
Patrick Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is the new leader of the Knights of Columbus, succeeding Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, who has headed the international fraternal organization as its CEO for more than two decades.
Chicago archdiocesan schools see ‘virtually no’ COVID-19 transmission
Chicago archdiocesan school officials are finding that in-person learning, done safely and in compliance with federal guidelines, has not resulted in high rates of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 among students and staff.