News
Ignoring reality of abuse, resisting responsibility must end, says Jesuit
Anyone who still believes the abuse crisis is an "American" or "Western" problem must become properly informed, face reality and realize problems may be hidden and explode in the future, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.
Be voice for the poor, imprisoned, pope tells Catholic television
During a Dec. 13 audience with journalists and collaborators of Telepace, an Italian Catholic television and radio station, the pope encouraged them to "transmit and receive" the "spiritual signs of the Father's merciful love."
Itinerant papal preacher: Capuchin will lead U.S. bishops’ retreat
UPDATED - For more than 38 years, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa has preached to the pope and top officials of the Roman Curia. In early January, he will lead the weeklong retreat of the U.S. bishops.
Pope: Protecting human dignity must be government priority
Meeting with new, non-resident ambassadors to the Vatican Dec. 13, the pope noted the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and said governments must ensure the document continue to "guide the efforts of global diplomacy."
Pope heads to Balkans in May to visit Bulgaria, Macedonia
Pope Francis will make a three-day visit to Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Vatican announced.
Christmas season brings joy, stress for survivors of natural disasters
Catholic Charities licensed mental health counselors from around South Florida spent the first week of December offering therapy and faculty training to hard-hit areas of Northwest Florida following this year's unusually strong storm there.
Panel: Aim of ‘seamless garment’ to unite Catholics on all life issues
Since Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin introduced the "seamless garment" approach to life issues 35 years ago, the notion has been both divisive and formative for the church, according to speakers at a Dec. 11 panel in New York.
Big decisions, bench changes for U.S. Supreme Court this year
The Supreme Court's past year will probably be remembered more for the shakeup at the bench than for specific rulings.
Strasbourg bishop speaks of ‘lucid madness’ after terror attack
UPDATED - At noon Dec. 12, the bells of every Catholic church in Strasbourg rang for 10 minutes to honor the victims of a terror attack at a Christmas market the previous day.
With a mother’s heart, Mary raises up the abandoned, pope says at Mass
Just as she did hundreds of years ago from a small hill in Tepeyac, Mexico, Mary accompanies the downtrodden and the lowly like a mother caring for her children.