Author Archive
Trump administration announces wide-ranging immigration guidelines
IMAGE: Nancy Wiechec By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In two memos published Feb. 20, the Department of Homeland Security outlined guidelines that White House officials said would enhance enforcement of immigration laws inside the country as well as prevent further unauthorized immigration into the U.S. In a Feb. 21 …
Vatican offers support to local farmers in Italian earthquake zone
IMAGE: CNS/Vatican Press Office By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In an effort to help support the economy of the central Italian region devastated by several earthquakes in 2016, the Vatican has purchased food from local farmers and producers to feed the homeless. Pope Francis instructed his almoner, …
Sanctuary advocated by grass-roots leaders to blunt deportation crackdown
IMAGE: CNS/Dennis Sadowski By Dennis Sadowski MODESTO, Calif. (CNS) — The push for sanctuary was on a lot of minds at the U.S. Regional World Meeting of Popular Movements. Concerns about President Donald Trump’s intention to deport millions of unauthorized immigrants rose throughout the Feb. 16-19 gathering of more than …
Help stop war in Ukraine, aid children in need, says church leader
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alexander Ermochenko, By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) — The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church called on the international community to “stop the aggressor” in Ukraine’s “forgotten conflict” and help the 1 million children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. “I am appealing to the international community to …
Pope appeals for aid as famine grips South Sudan
IMAGE: CNS photo/Nicolas Peissel, handout via EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis appealed for humanitarian assistance to South Sudan where famine threatens the lives of millions of people already suffering due to a three-year civil war. In the “martyred South Sudan,” he said, “a fratricidal …
Greed, selfishness corrupt beauty of God’s creation, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Humanity’s greed and selfishness can turn creation into a sad and desolate world instead of the sign of God’s love that it was meant to be, Pope Francis said. Human beings are often tempted to view creation as “a …
Grass-roots leaders join call for ‘disrupting’ oppression that hurts many
IMAGE: CNS/Dennis Sadowski By Dennis Sadowski MODESTO, Calif. (CNS) — Affirming that all human life is sacred and all people are “protagonists of their future,” more than 600 grass-roots leaders echoed the call of a U.S. bishop to disrupt practices that cause oppression and violate human dignity. The leaders attending …
Be ashamed when tempted to use church for power struggles, pope says
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Whenever one is tempted to use the church for pursuing personal ambitions or to be arrogant, pray to feel ashamed, Pope Francis said. When the competitive bug strikes, reflect whether one can “see my Lord on the cross” and still be capable of …
Populism fueling self-centered rejection of migrants, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Indifference, fueled by populist rhetoric in today’s world, fans the flames of rejection that threaten the rights and dignity of migrants, Pope Francis said. Refugees escaping persecution, violence and poverty are often shunned and deemed as “unworthy of …
Pope’s tip for becoming a saint: Pray for someone who doesn’t like you
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — A practical first step toward holiness — as well as for assuring peace in one’s family and in the world — is to pray for a person who has caused offense or harm, Pope Francis said. “Are you merciful toward the …