News

Trafficking statistics don’t reveal extent of modern slavery

Whether it be child labor, illegal adoptions, forced marriage, illegally obtained organs, sex trafficking, child soldiers or labor exploitation, the trafficking of men, women and children affects every country of the world.

Pope tells prison staff they must help inmates find hope

A prison sentence without hope serves no purpose other than to stir feelings of revenge and anger in inmates who are looking for a second chance in life, Pope Francis said.

Africa is also grappling with clerical abuse, say Catholic leaders

While there is a general view that the scandals are a challenge of the church in Europe and America, African officials confirm incidents, amid reports of some provinces expelling or defrocking priests.

Does God want religious diversity? Abu Dhabi text raises questions

Pope Francis and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, stepped into a theological debate on the will of God toward religions when they signed a document on "human fraternity" and improving Christian-Muslim relations.

After abuse crisis, Holy Spirit planning new ‘season’ for the church

That's the hope of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. bishops' conference. He believes God is using the sexual abuse crisis to open the church to "a fuller understanding" of the church, with bishops delegating duties to lay people.

Advocacy centers help abuse victims tell their story, regain trust, heal

Over the last 30 years, the network of children's advocacy centers has emerged as one of the nation's most comprehensive responses to sexual violence against children.

Child sex abuse called ‘a serious and pervasive’ issue in U.S. society

Understanding the plague of sexual abuse in this country means going beyond the immediate headlines and understanding what experts are saying about this scourge. It also means looking not only at the Catholic Church but at all institutions and societal structures where abuse can take place.

Catholic college, university leaders focus on finances, job market

Participants at the annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities had to know they were getting down to brass tacks with the theme of this year's gathering: "Mission, Myth, Money: Securing Catholic Higher Education for the Future."

Even with his team’s loss, Rams exec counts health, family, faith as wins

When Tony Pastoors was 5 days old in 1987, his mother kneeled in a hospital chapel to pray his life would be spared, after he was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, which attacks the colon. Now 31, Tony is vice president of football and business administration for the Los Angeles Rams football team.

Catholics pray for abuse survivors, more lay involvement in church

Members of four area parishes came together in Morgantown Jan. 26 to pray for victims of abuse by clergy and for more transparency by the church and more lay involvement.