Author Archive
Daughter’s murder becomes chance for restorative justice for her killer
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — What could have been another senseless murder in a society with too many of them already was transformed into restorative justice for the killer and healing for the victim’s parents. Kate Grosmaire and her husband, Andy, then in deacon formation, …
National Review Board chairman seeks fix to address charter ‘loophole’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The National Review Board chairman called for changes to the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" to "make it a less ambiguous document" because despite nearly every diocese meeting its standards in third-party audits, some bishops are …
Pope focuses on ‘good politics’ for 2019 World Peace Day message
IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world will not have peace without people having mutual trust and respecting each other’s word, the Vatican said as it announced Pope Francis’ 2019 World Peace Day message would focus on "good politics." "Good politics is at the service of …
Serving country, aiding soldiers second nature for Medal of Honor winner
IMAGE: CNS photo/Leah Millis, Reuters By Zoey Maraist ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — When describing life-altering decisions and brave moments of selflessness, former Army Staff Sgt. and Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer speaks succinctly and matter-of-factly, as if his actions were the most natural thing in the world. Why did …
Peacemaking begins at home by saying ‘no’ to rivalry, pope says at Mass
IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — World peace must begin in individuals’ hearts and in their families by saying "no" to pride and rivalry, Pope Francis said. "When we read news about wars — think about the starvation of children in Yemen, which is a …
Landscape for those with disabilities changed since bishops’ statement
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the 40 years since the U.S. bishops approved their "Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons With Disabilities" in 1978, the landscape for persons with disabilities has changed both within the church and within society, and largely for …
All Souls feast is time to remember, to hope, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — The Mass for the feast of All Souls is "realistic, concrete" in calling Catholics to remember the people and events of their past, to consider how they live today and to hope for eternal life with God and their loved …
‘Sand Nativity’ scene to display in St. Peter’s Square
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jesolo Tourism Office By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although sand castles and sculptures usually conjure up images of hot summers on the beach, the Vatican will unveil a massive Nativity scene made entirely of sand during the cold Roman winter. According to the Vatican newspaper, …
Detroit Archdiocese unveils ‘Unleash the Gospel’ missionary movement
IMAGE: CNS illustration/courtesy Detroit Catholic By Mike Stechschulte DETROIT (CNS) — What began as a rallying cry for the Archdiocese of Detroit is slowly building into a full-fledged missionary movement called "Unleash the Gospel." Inspired by Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron’s 2017 pastoral letter on the missionary transformation of the …
One man glad to be in court to see priest plead guilty to abuse
IMAGE: CNS photo/Darrell Sapp, courtesy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Father David Poulson of the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty Oct. 17 to felony counts in connection with sexual assaults against one boy and the attempted assault of another boy, Jim VanSickle was there to …