IMAGE: CNS photo/Kith Serey, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — All dictatorships begin the same way: media outlets are put in the hands of “unscrupulous” people who spread lies and weaken democracy, Pope Francis said. Typical standards, norms and laws in regard to communications are first eliminated, the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The brother of Chilean Father Fernando Karadima called on his brother to ask forgiveness for the hurt inflicted on those he sexually abused. “I would ask him to be humble. Fernando, ask for forgiveness. Not in silence to God …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By GREEN BAY, Wis. (CNS) — Julie Asher is the recipient of the 2018 St. Francis de Sales Award from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. The award recognizes “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism” and is the highest honor given by CPA. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Chicago Catholic By Joyce Duriga CHICAGO (CNS) — When world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma brought his Concert for Peace to St. Sabina Church for the second time June 10, there was a special feature — five original works written with family members who lost loved ones to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Abedin Taherkenareh, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The theory that well-being will automatically flow down to everyone from the riches of the few is “a lie,” Pope Francis said. The beatitudes show the way, he said, because they show that holiness doesn’t concern just the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CNS) — A planned pastoral letter addressing racism is on schedule for a November vote by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Sheldon J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, chairman of the bishop’s Ad Hoc Committee on Racism, said during …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy World Council of Churches By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ one-day pilgrimage to Geneva will mark another major ecumenical moment in his papacy. While he will celebrate Mass for the nation’s Catholics and meet with Vatican diplomatic staff working at U.N. agencies there, the …

By Dennis Sadowski FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CNS) — A new document focused on guiding the American church in addressing the pastoral needs of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during their annual spring assembly. Adopted 187-2 with two abstentions, “Encountering Christ in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Migrants seeking a better life in other countries must not be viewed with suspicion but rather defended and protected, no matter their status, Pope Francis said. International cooperation is needed “at every stage of migration,” especially for countries …

IMAGE: CNS/Tyler Orsburn By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — How is it that God in heaven can hear the cries of the poor, but so many people watching or standing nearby either cannot or just do not care, Pope Francis asked. People must make “a serious examination of conscience …