News
Sistine Chapel Choir director steps down
"The Holy Father accepted the maestro's request to terminate his service," the Vatican press office said July 10 in a statement that made no mention of an investigation, announced one year ago, into the choir's financial and administrative operations.
With nonprofit’s help, student debt won’t derail college grad’s vocation
"Yes, there is a vocation crisis, but we have to realize student loans are a substantial inhibitor to our vocations and the people wanting to give their lives," said Norvilia Etienne, a recent New York City college graduate.
Smithsonian inquiring about drawings made by children at Catholic center
The Smithsonian Museum of American History is looking at the possibility of acquiring for its collection drawings made by children ages 10 and 11 at a Catholic Charities center in Texas, which may depict their stay at federal detention centers for immigrants near the border.
Monastery connects U.S. Catholics to Holy Land, events in Christ’s life
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America features scaled replicas of the Tomb of Jesus, the Tomb of Mary, the Chapel of the Ascension, the Lourdes Grotto, the Anointing Stone, Calvary, the Gethsemane Grotto, and others.
West Virginia woman shares her story of addiction and recovery
With a population of less than 400, Kermit, W. Va., became the epicenter of the nation's opioid crisis more than 10 years ago when painkillers -- 3 million pills in 10 months -- flooded the town through a local pharmacy.
Catholic schools in Memphis to reopen as charter schools this fall
Students were allowed to take home religious materials that would no longer be allowed in the school when Our Lady of Sorrows and other Jubilee Catholic Schools become charter schools in the fall.
Two Canadian theaters cancel showings of ‘Unplanned’ after threats
Most independent theaters are holding firm to screen the film. About 20 theaters were set to show the film.
New commission to review role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy
Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard Law School professor, will chair the Commission on Unalienable Rights, which is expected to elevate concerns about abortion and religious freedom.
$28 million distributed to religious orders to care for aging members
Orders of women and men religious received, collectively, $28 million in financial help from the National Religious Retirement Office, the umbrella group that coordinates the annual Retirement Fund for Religious campaign in parishes and dioceses nationwide.
‘Dangerous’ bill on seal of confession withdrawn before key hearing
In a last-minute twist, a California bill that would have required priests to break the sacramental seal of confession was shelved by its sponsor amid a remarkable grassroots campaign mounted by the state's Catholics, members of other faith groups, and religious liberty advocates from across the country.