News
Catholic Christmas carols not in danger in Quebec, specialist says
A choir and sacred music specialist believes these carols remain beloved because people especially preserve the emotion associated with them.
Bishops’ retreat on role as shepherds may bring renewal, scholars say
The Jan. 2-8 retreat at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago comes as the bishops work to rebuild trust among the faithful as questions continue to revolve around their handling of clergy sex abuse.
Christmas Eve marks 200th anniversary of beloved carol ‘Silent Night’
Exactly 200 years ago this Christmas Eve the world heard for the first time a poem set to music that would one of the most beloved Christmas carols. The myth, truth and history of the carol have made it part of humanity's 'intangible cultural heritage."
Indonesian police, Muslim youth to help guard churches at Christmas
More than 90,000 police and soldiers and a moderate Muslim youth group will help guard nearly 50,000 churches across Indonesia, including some previously attacked by terrorists, during the Christmas period.
Jesuits’ Maryland province releases lists of clergy with credible claims
The Maryland province of the Society of Jesus Dec. 17 released the names of Jesuits who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. They include Jesuits from the province and other Jesuits who have served the province.
At Christmas, Peruvians try to make Venezuelan migrants feel at home
With more than half a million Venezuelan migrants and refugees, Peru is the second-largest host country after Colombia. Hyperinflation, power outages, political instability, violence and shortages of food and medicine have driven about 3 million people out of Venezuela.
Pope names Italian journalists to key posts in Vatican communications
Pope Francis made new appointments to the Dicastery for Communication, naming Andrea Tornielli, an Italian journalist, as its "editorial director" and Andrea Monda, an Italian journalist and religion teacher, as editor-in-chief of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.
Bishops asked to meet abuse survivors before February meeting
At stake at the planned major Vatican summit on the clerical sex abuse crisis is healing for victim survivors and "the very credibility of the church to carry on the mission of Christ" in the world, Pope Francis wrote.
Scapegoating migrants in political speeches is unacceptable, pope says
In today's climate of mistrust, rejection and nationalism, the world urgently needs peacemakers and politicians who protect and lovingly serve others, Pope Francis said in his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1.
Ukrainian Catholic leader welcomes head of new independent Orthodox church
The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church told the new leader of three previously divided Ukrainian Orthodox denominations that they "will travel together in history, toward unity and truth."