News
Diocese of Erie to launch Survivors’ Reparation Fund in February
Survivors of sexual abuse by clergy, lay employees or lay volunteers in the Diocese of Erie may file financial claims with a new compensation fund run by Kenneth Feinberg, who is leading similar funds in Pa.
After 25 years, Alaska priest still loves his Russian Far East mission
Father Michael Shields loves his ministry in the Russian Far East city of 100,000. Magadan and Anchorage are sister cities. The mission came into being in 1989 as the former Soviet Union was in its "glasnost" and "perestroika" era under Mikhail Gorbachev.
Vatican names two reconciled bishops to head Chinese dioceses
As part of its ongoing efforts to reconcile China's Catholic communities, the Vatican recognized two previously excommunicated Chinese bishops as heads of dioceses.
Catholic groups raise concerns that climate rulebook not ambitious enough
UPDATED - The final document that emerged from the 24th U.N. Conference of Parties, or COP24, in Katowice, Poland, outlines a careful balance among the needs and concerns of the most developed nations, emerging nations and poor countries whose inhabitants already are experiencing the effects of climate change.
Iraqi priest rebuilds church in war-torn Mosul, hopes faithful follow
Christians are cautiously returning to Mosul, the once-bustling Iraqi city that for three years was the capital of the caliphate established by the Islamic State group.
Death penalty is fruit of laws lacking humanity, mercy, pope says
The death penalty is an inhumane form of punishment that ignores the primacy of mercy in the name of justice, Pope Francis said.
True Christmas celebrates Jesus, who is tender, humble, pope says
With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter's Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope.
Pope celebrates his birthday with clients of Vatican pediatric clinic
Dozens of children, their parents and the clinic volunteers anticipated Pope Francis' 82nd birthday, singing for him and giving him a large cake Dec. 16. His birthday was the next day.
Vatican Museums to launch full virtual tour to increase accessibility
In the technology support department at the Vatican Museums, Villanova University student Justin Myers is spending a semester creating virtual tours of galleries, part of a larger project to make the museums accessible to everyone.
Archbishop Nienstedt’s ministry restricted in Minnesota archdiocese
Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Dec. 14 that until "all open allegations are resolved," his predecessor, Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, is not free to exercise public ministry in the archdiocese.