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Catholic News Agency
Ash Wednesday 2021: Vatican offers guidance on ash distribution amid COVID-19 pandemic

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 12, 2021 / 09:00 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican gave guidance Tuesday about how priests can distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments published a note Jan. 12, directing priests to …
Iraqi government imposes COVID restrictions weeks before papal visit

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Feb 15, 2021 / 06:30 am MT (CNA).- The Iraqi government has announced new COVID-19 restrictions, including the closure of all places of worship, less than three weeks before Pope Francis’ scheduled trip to Iraq. On Feb. 14 the health ministry of Iraq wrote that …
Pope Francis names Texas priest an auxiliary bishop of San Antonio

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 15, 2021 / 05:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Monday named Fr. Gary W. Janak, a canon lawyer and licensed counselor, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas. Bishop-elect Janak, 58, is vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of …
How these seminarians in New Orleans plan to celebrate Mardi Gras

CNA Newsroom · Ep. 91: Mardi Gras (and all that jazz) by Kate Olivera Denver Newsroom, Feb 14, 2021 / 02:00 am MT (CNA).- Mardi Gras in New Orleans has been canceled only a handful of times, including during World War I and II, and the Spanish flu pandemic in …
Catholic doctor calls for independent inquiry into DNR notices for COVID-19 patients with learning disabilities

CNA Staff, Feb 14, 2021 / 04:00 am MT (CNA).- A Catholic doctor called on Sunday for an independent inquiry into reports that COVID-19 patients with learning disabilities have been given “do not resuscitate” notices during the second wave of the virus in the U.K. Fr. Patrick Pullicino, a neurologist …
YouTube’s permanent ban on LifeSiteNews prompts censorship concerns

by CNA Staff Denver Newsroom, Feb 12, 2021 / 06:17 pm MT (CNA).- YouTube has banned the pro-life group LifeSiteNews for alleged misinformation about COVID-19, prompting concerns about censorship and free debate. One ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center did not agree with LifeSiteNews’ presentation of the science and …
Beatification cause of bishop known for ‘ordinary extraordinariness’ moves forward

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Feb 12, 2021 / 09:00 am MT (CNA).- The Diocese of Rome on Friday concluded the first phase of the cause for beatification of an Italian bishop and founder of the Pro Sanctity Movement. Servant of God Guglielmo Giaquinta “was not an ordinary man or …
CRS’ Lenten Rice Bowl program to help feed the hungry amid COVID pandemic

by CNA Staff Denver Newsroom, Feb 12, 2021 / 12:57 am MT (CNA).- Catholic Relief Services is asking Catholics this Lent to remember those affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by participating in the annual CRS Rice Bowl campaign. “As the world continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, …
Pope Francis: ‘Experience Lent with love’ by caring for those affected by pandemic

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 12, 2021 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to practice charity in Lent this year by caring for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In his message for Lent 2021, the pope asks people to “experience Lent with love,” which …
Lourdes shrine invites the sick to find hope through virtual visit

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Feb 11, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the papal delegate for the Marian shrine urged masked pilgrims and virtual viewers alike not to lose hope in the face of sickness and difficulties. “Lourdes is the place …