IMAGE: CNS photo/Colleen Dulle By Colleen Dulle WASHINGTON (CNS) — For some aspiring priests and religious, the biggest obstacle to pursuing their vocation is student debt. Because many religious orders do not accept members with outstanding debts, 42 percent of individuals discerning religious life in the U.S. are barred from …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The former head of the Vatican’s doctrine office denied reports claiming he was dismissed by Pope Francis due to differences in doctrinal matters. In a story in the German Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost, journalist Guido Horst said Cardinal Gerhard Muller “could not …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — U.S. politics have become increasingly colored by an apocalyptic world view, promoted by certain fundamentalist Christians, that fosters hatred, fear and intolerance, said an influential Jesuit magazine. In fact, this world view shares some similarities with Islamic fundamentalism since …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jean Gonzalez, Florida Catholic By Jean Gonzalez ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — In 1955 in Mississippi, a white woman lied and told her husband that Emmett Till, a black teen, flirted with her in the grocery story. In retaliation, her husband and another man kidnapped, beat, shot and lynched …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Vatican recently published a circular letter, “On the bread and wine for the Eucharist,” sent to diocesan bishops at the request of Pope Francis. Dated June 15 — the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of Agape Association of El Salvador By Rhina Guidos SONSONATE, El Salvador (CNS) — His Boston Red Sox baseball hat is almost as big a part of him as his brown Franciscan habit. Anywhere Franciscan Father Flavian Mucci goes in El Salvador, he’s known not only for …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has approved a fourth pathway to possible sainthood — giving one’s life in a heroic act of loving service to others. In a new apostolic letter, the pope approved new norms allowing for candidates to be considered for sainthood because of …

By Jean Gonzalez ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — United by the words of the prophet of social justice, Catholic Church leaders urged black Catholics to become active, just disciples of Christ. More than 2,000 converged on Orlando July 6-9 for the 12th National Black Catholic Congress where speakers — clergy, lay …

IMAGE: CNS photo/John G. Mabanglo, EPA By Carolyn Mackenzie WASHINGTON (CNS) — Political polarization in America has recently peaked, according to surveys conducted by Pew Research Center and Gallup, among others. In a time where such polarization threatens civility in public discourse, Catholic leaders in interviews with Catholic News Service …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Jose Montoya WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since the 13th century, the Escolania de Montserrat has sung daily for pilgrims at Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey in Catalonia, Spain. This summer they brought their sacred music — some of it dating back to the Middle Ages — …