Author Archive
Natural disasters prompt church to raise millions for aid, recovery
IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlo Allegri, Reuters By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — In Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, California and Mexico City, recovery was slow and deep pain remained from a string of natural disasters as 2017 ended. Hurricanes, wildfires and earthquakes from August through December caused widespread destruction and claimed hundreds …
Pope: Helping refugees means converting hearts hardened against them
By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) — With so much suffering, poverty and exploitation in the world, missionary work must also include reaching out to people whose hearts are closed to receiving immigrants and refugees, Pope Francis told Jesuits in Myanmar. “Unfortunately, in Europe there are countries that have chosen to …
Hold the phone: Vatican says Pope Francis doesn’t use WhatsApp
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the thought of receiving a blessing by text from Pope Francis could have millions of mobile users glued to their smartphones, the Vatican spokesman said that isn’t his style. The spokesman, Greg Burke, issued a statement on Twitter Dec. 13 saying …
Sunday has lost its sense as day of rest, renewal in Christ, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just like a plant needs sun and nourishment to survive, every Christian needs the light of Sunday and the sustenance of the Eucharist to truly live, Pope Francis said. “How can we carry out the Gospel without drawing …
Pope: Guadalupe feast shows Mary’s closeness to those on margins
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which mirrored that of the indigenous people of the time, is a sign of Mary’s closeness to those who are marginalized, Pope Francis said. Like St. Juan Diego, who felt of no importance at being …
Blessed Oscar Romero continues to inspire listeners through radio
IMAGE: CNS photo/Melissa Vida By Melissa Vida SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (CNS) — In San Salvador’s traffic jams or at work, people turn on Radio YSAX to listen to Blessed Oscar Romero’s homilies, just as they did over 30 years ago. “I listen to this radio station in Romero’s honor, …
Washington Archdiocese considers next step in lawsuit over transit ad
By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Washington was weighing its options after a federal judge denied a request for an emergency injunction over the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s advertising guidelines. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson Dec. 8 denied the archdiocese’s request that WMATA be required to post …
Christian vocation is to serve life, health, pope says in message
IMAGE: CNS photo/John E. Kozar, CNEWA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church’s care for the sick, especially through Catholic-run hospitals, is an antidote to “the business mentality that is seeking worldwide to turn health care into a profit-making enterprise,” Pope Francis said. In his message for …
‘Crowning jewel’ of national shrine — Trinity Dome Mosaic — dedicated
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The overflowing congregation at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception hardly needed reminding to raise their “eyes to the heavens” during a dedication of the Trinity Dome Mosaic Dec. 8. Before Mass began, all eyes were …
Update: Fundraising starts to aid victims of Southern California fires
IMAGE: CNS photo/David McNew, Reuters By LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has started a fund for victims of the wildfires that have raced through the archdiocese and were threatening to spread to locations in the nearby Orange and San Diego dioceses. “Friends, as the wildfires continue, …