IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Proclaiming his innocence after being charged with sexual abuse, Australian Cardinal George Pell said, “I’m looking forward finally to having my day in court.” “I’m innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinals are not called to be “princes” of the church, but to serve the people of God and tackle the sins of the world, Pope Francis told five new cardinals. Jesus “calls you to serve like him and with …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are called to detach themselves from power, reject violence and sacrifice themselves for God and others out of love, Pope Francis said. Christians must live the way Christ chose to: not as “persecutors, but persecuted; not arrogant, but meek; …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Octavio Duran By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — As El Salvador’s first cardinal receives his red hat June 28 at the Vatican, he will have the eyes of his flock at home but also of the Washington area, home to approximately 260,000 Salvadorans — one of the largest …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN LETTER (CNS) — The Catholic Church is not a “gerontocracy” ruled by old men, 80-year-old Pope Francis said; “we aren’t old men, we are grandfathers.” “We are grandfathers called to dream and to give our dreams to the young people of today. They …

By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) — The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, in its analysis of the Senate health care bill, said late June 26 the measure would leave 22 million more people without insurance. “This moment cannot pass without comment,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Yuri Gripas, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court of the United States said that this fall it will hear a case involving President Donald Trump’s travel ban, which seeks to delay entry into the country by immigrants from six majority-Muslim countries and one that …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Yuri Gripas, Reuters By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court June 26 said a Lutheran preschool should not be excluded from a state grant program to refurbish its playground surface just because it is a religious entity. “The exclusion of Trinity Lutheran …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican expressed “grave concern” over the situation of a bishop in mainland China who has been in government custody for almost 10 months and moved repeatedly in an apparent attempt to prevent him from assuming leadership of his diocese. …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cancer prevention programs and campaigns need to reach everyone, Pope Francis said. “Spreading a culture of life — made up of attitudes and behaviors — is greatly needed, a true culture (that is) of the people, serious, accessible to everyone …