World News
Young church musicians can earn college scholarship
The deadline is fast approaching for applying for the $1,000 Peter LaManna Excellence in Music Scholarship, presented for the second year by the Association of Church Musicians in Philadelphia.
Pope accepts resignation of bishop after ordering priests to accept him
UPDATED - "I do not think that my apostolate in a diocese where some of the priests and lay faithful are ill disposed to have me in their midst would be effective," Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke wrote in a letter to the diocese.
Nuns withdraw from ministry in Mexican city wrought by violence
An order of nuns has withdrawn from an especially violent city after the parents and sister of one of the women religious was kidnapped and killed.
Christian leaders in Jerusalem protest plan to tax church properties
The proposal to levy taxes on some properties would run contrary to unofficial historical tax-exempt status the churches have enjoyed for centuries, the leaders said in a Feb. 15 statement.
Catholic physicians’ leader warns of threats to conscientious objection
No doctor should be forced to choose between violating his or her conscience and facing professional sanctions when defending human life, said the president of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.
Acknowledge sin, but look for signs of God at work, pope tells priests
While it is true that the world is full of sin and sinful behavior, priests must learn to scrutinize the "signs of the times" for new trends and attitudes that are good and healthy and holy, Pope Francis told pastors from the Diocese of Rome.
Philippine bishop orders investigation into Ash Wednesday burns
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said several Massgoers reported feeling a burning sensation on their foreheads immediately after being marked. When the people washed the ashes off, rashes and blisters appeared on their skin.
No youths should feel excluded from pre-synod meeting, cardinal says
As the Catholic Church prepares to welcome youths from around the world to a preparatory meeting for the Synod of Bishops on youth, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri said the church is using every means of communication available to listen to young people from all walks of life.
Fasting during Lent includes sharing, treating others kindly, pope says
Loudly boasting or complaining about fasting during Lent and treating others unkindly is not what God wants, Pope Francis said.
Pope updates resignation norms for bishops, prelates in Roman Curia
Updating the norms and regulations governing the resignation of bishops and of Roman Curia department heads who are not cardinals, Pope Francis said they will continue to hold office until he accepts their resignations.