‘Every Life: Cherished, Chosen, Sent’ is theme of Respect Life Month
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Each year the U.S. Catholic Church observes October as Respect Life Month, which calls Catholics “to cherish, defend and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every...
Be lifeline of hope for youth alienated from church, pope tells synod
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Setting the stage for a monthlong gathering of bishops, Pope Francis urged synod fathers not to be crushed by “prophets of doom,” but to be the signs of hope and joy for which today’s...
Bill to make Calif. public universities offer abortion pill won’t be law
By Catholic News Service SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CNS) — California Gov. Jerry Brown said Sept. 30 he would not sign a measure passed by the state Senate that would have required student health centers at public universities to offer abortion-inducing drugs. By not signing...
Poll: Pope’s favorability numbers down, and worse for handling of abuse
By Mark Pattison | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — With Pope Francis midway into the sixth year of his pontificate, the percentage of U.S. Catholics who view him favorably, while still strong, is noticeably down. And, compared to a January poll by the Pew...
‘A chance to try to bring peace’: Clergy abuse compensation program participant uses settlement money to offer Masses, stock pantries in diocese
In the coming weeks and months, spiritual and physical support will be offered to those in need thanks to a man who as a child was abused by a priest of the diocese.
Bishop Cunningham's 2018 Respect Life Month message
Bishop Robert J. Cunningham offered the following statement as U.S. Catholics prepared to observe October’s Respect Life Month: “As we begin the month of October, Catholics will once again celebrate Respect Life Month. We are also nearing the conclusion of...
Guardian angels are life’s traveling companions, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians have guardian angels to encourage and guide them so they won’t become sluggish on their journey in life, Pope Francis said. Without the guidance of angels, men and women who...
Pope: Pray to protect church from devil, step up fight against abuse
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Signaling his belief that the Catholic Church is facing a serious crisis, Pope Francis asked every Catholic in the world to pray for the protection of the church from attacks by the devil, but also that the...
Women must fight clericalism to heal church, Vatican publication says
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In response to current scandals, clericalism and the need for reform, Catholic women must take the initiative and make their voices be heard, according to a series of articles in a Vatican magazine. The...
Catholic aid agencies respond after quake, tsunami in Indonesia
By Catholic News Service JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNS) — Catholic aid agencies were among those working to assess the needs and get relief to the island of Sulawesi after an earthquake and tsunami left more than 800 people dead. Indonesia’s disaster agency said Oct....
Love can make darkness of euthanasia disappear, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Caring for the sick, especially those near death, cannot be reduced simply to giving them medicine, but must include providing healing and comfort that gives their lives value and meaning, Pope...
Synod aims to renew the church to help young Catholics, cardinal says
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To strengthen and support young people in the faith, members of the Synod of Bishops will need to listen to their real-life stories, interpret what they hear in the light of the Gospel and make decisions...
God’s love in charity exists even in most secularized places, pope says
Pope Francis blesses a baby as he arrives to lead the Sept. 26 general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. -CNS photo | Tony Gentile, Reuters By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — During times of freedom or persecution, the...
As part of message to Catholics in China, pope offers prayer to Mary
By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As part of this message to Catholics in China and worldwide, published Sept. 26, Pope Francis offered the following prayer, inviting everyone to join him in invoking the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary: Mother...
Victim assistance coordinators comfort in a behind-the-scenes ministry
By Dennis Sadowski | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Their work begins with a phone call. Whether the call is from someone who is angry, embarrassed, unsure of what to do or needs a friendly ear, diocesan and eparchial victim assistance coordinators are the...
Siena College sees edition of Saint John’s Bible igniting faith on campus
Franciscan Father Mark Reamer, mission director for Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., pages through the hand-illustrated Saint John’s Bible Aug. 11. – CNS photo | Emily Benson, The Evangelist By Emily Benson Catholic News Service ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) — On...
Pa. bishops support creating fund to compensate survivors of sex abuse
This is a map of Pennsylvania showing the six Catholic dioceses covered by a grand jury report on an investigation of abuse claims made in those dioceses. The report covers a span of more than 70 years. (CNS | courtesy of USCCB) By Matthew Gambino | Catholic News...
Cardinal beatifies 22-year-old Romanian as ‘martyr to chastity’
Bishop Petru Gherghel of Iasi, Romania, blesses the tomb of Veronica Antal Sept. 23, the day she was beatified in Nisiporesti, Romania. The 22-year-old was beatified as a “martyr to chastity,” six decades after she was murdered while resisting rape. -CNS...
Stay close to the suffering, forgive one another, pope tells Latvians
Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Mother of God in Aglona, Latvia, Sept. 24. -CNS photo | Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service AGLONA, Latvia (CNS) — What would Mary do? was the question Pope Francis, in...
Catholic leaders oppose administration’s plan to limit green cards
A man holds up a sign as he stands in a spray of water from a fire truck during a late June rally by immigration activists to protest against the Trump administration’s immigration policy outside the White House in Washington. Catholic leaders are speaking out...
Blessed Romero’s ‘heroic life, sanctity’ holds many lessons, bishop says
A mural of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero is seen in 2015. Blessed Oscar Romero’s martyrdom, “the holy sacrifice of his life,” during his celebration of the “holy sacrifice” of the Mass holds a powerful lesson for Catholics, Bishop...
High School Students Encouraged to Apply for Pro-Life Scholarship Named for Bishop James Moynihan
Most Rev. James M. Moynihan, the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse, died March 6, 2017, at the age of 84. (Archive photo) Syracuse, New York – The Office of Family/Respect Life, Diocese of Syracuse is once again offering a scholarship in honor of the late Bishop...
Retired Green Bay auxiliary bishop withdraws from public ministry
Retired Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Morneau of Green Bay, pictured in a June 13 photo, was granted his request to withdraw from all public ministry by Bishop David L. Ricken, head of the diocese. (CNS photo | Chaz Muth) By Sam Lucero | Catholic News Service ALLOUEZ,...
New partnership to help families reunite using donated airline miles
Dominican Sister Donna Markham, executive director of Catholic Charities USA, speaks about immigrants and refugees May 4, 2018, at All Saints Church in Portland, Ore. “These are our brothers and sisters, not freeloaders,” she told listeners. (CNS photo |...
Benedictine sister turning 105 said longevity secret is love people, God
Sister Helen Lange, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in St. Leo, turns 105 Sept. 28. Seen in an undated photo, Sister Helen leaves an “endearing mark on all those she encounters,” says her order. She joined the community in 1930. (CNS photo |...
Two more Chilean bishops step down in wake of abuse crisis
People place candles in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago Aug. 20 during a demonstration against sexual abuse committed in the Chilean Catholic Church. Pope Francis accepted the resignations of two more Chilean bishops, bringing to seven the number of...
U.S. attorney general’s new legal directive may speed up deportations
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is seen July 30 at the Department of Justice in Washington. (CNS photo | Tyler Orsburn) By Rhina Guidos | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a decision Sept. 18 curtailing the powers...
N.Y. Archdiocese names judge as independent reviewer on abuse protocols
New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan holds a news conference Sept. 20 in New York City. Cardinal Dolan announced he has appointed a retired federal judge to independently review the way the Archdiocese of New York has been handling the sexual abuse cases involving...
Class-action lawsuit filed against eight Pennsylvania dioceses
Storm clouds pass over a a Catholic church in Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania attorney general released a grand jury report Aug. 14 on a months-long investigation into abuse claims spanning a 70-year period in six dioceses, which included Pittsburgh. (CNS photo | Jason...
