Over drinks, young adults get to know their archbishop

Young adults sat down for an evening with Archbishop Charles Chaput last week. They learned about his daily routine and about Catholic teaching on some sensitive topics.

Climate encyclical expected to send strong moral message to the world

"The encyclical will address the issue of inequality in the distribution of resources and topics such as the wasting of food and the irresponsible exploitation of nature and the consequences for people's life and health," Archbishop Pedro Barreto Jimeno of Huancayo, Peru, told Catholic News Service.

In Syria, Maronite patriarch denounces ‘death of the world’s conscience’

In a homily June 7 at the Maronite Cathedral of St. Anthony in Damascus, Cardinal Bechara Rai also issued a call for peace, "for stopping the war, for political solutions and for the honored return" of the 12 million Syrians who have been uprooted by the country's four-year civil war.

Winning altar design announced for papal Mass in Washington

A jury consisting of representatives from the Archdiocese of Washington, the national shrine and The Catholic University of America picked the design of the winning team, featuring Catholic University architecture students Ariadne Cerritelli, from Bethesda, Maryland; Matthew Hoffman, from Pittsburgh; and Joseph Taylor, from Eldersburg, Maryland.

Administering mercy: Facilitating forgiveness does not downplay sin

Always, but especially during a Holy Year, the Catholic Church does everything possible to help Catholics repent of their sins, receive forgiveness and draw closer to God.

Priest’s love of priesthood prompts outspokenness for positive change

How does Father Donald Cozzens, a well-known author and lecturer whose candid insights into the priesthood have challenged the Catholic Church to confront clericalism and renew its structure, follow up 18 years of exploring priestly life in written word?

Canadian commission: Reconciliation with aboriginals to take ‘hard work’

In a 382-page report with 94 recommendations, the commission called for changes at all levels of society and government and said "Canadians must make a firm and lasting commitment to reconciliation to ensure that Canada is a country where our children and grandchildren can thrive."

French Catholics want countries to quit buying oil from Islamic State

"Our brothers and sisters are being massacred, women and children taken into slavery -- and while Christians are suffering most, so are Muslims and other minorities," said Joseph Thouvenel, vice president of the French Confederation of Christian Workers.

6,000 volunteers ready to lend many hands this September

Already well over halfway to the goal of 10,000 volunteers for the World Meeting of Families and papal visit to Philadelphia, the helpers can select the roles for which they are best suited to volunteer.

Deceased sister’s dream becomes reality in bronze

It’s been seven years in the making, but Sister Paula Beierschmitt's wish to install a sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe has come to pass. It started with an unexplainable photograph.