Author Archive
Benefits association, diocese file suit over HHS transgender regulation
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jonathan Drake, Reuters By FARGO, N.D. (CNS) — The Catholic Benefits Association, the Diocese of Fargo and Catholic Charities North Dakota filed a lawsuit Dec. 28 in U.S. District Court in North Dakota against a federal regulation scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 that redefines “sex” for anti-discrimination …
Vatican says 3.9 million pilgrims visited during Jubilee year
IMAGE: CNS photo/Maurizio Brambatti, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More than 3.9 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services during the Holy Year of Mercy in 2016, the Vatican said. The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that coordinates the …
Top-down turned around: Child protection goes global from the ground up
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Some parts of the world see swift attention paid to victims of sexual abuse and others still experience delays or a mishandling of allegations. This imbalance, one Jesuit expert has said, reflects how years of papal pleas and Vatican mandates …
Cleveland bishop cites vascular dementia as reason for early resignation
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Dennis Sadowski CLEVELAND (CNS) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard G. Lennon of Cleveland. He has headed the diocese since 2006. Bishop Lennon, who turns 70 in March, said during a news conference at diocesan offices Dec. 28 that he had …
‘Creating a Culture of Encounter’ theme for National Migration Week
IMAGE: CNS photo/Yahya Arhab, EPA By WASHINGTON (CNS) — “Creating a Culture of Encounter” is the theme of 2017’s National Migration Week, an annual observance the U.S. Catholic bishops began over 25 years ago. Taking place Jan. 8-14, the week “is an excellent opportunity to highlight biblical tradition and our …
Even complaining to God is a form of prayer, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Giorgio Onorati, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To complain to God in moments of doubt and fear like Abraham did is not something bad but rather is a form of prayer that requires the courage to hope beyond all hope, Pope Francis said. While …
In Christmas messages, patriarchs call for peace amid Christian persecution
IMAGE: CNS pohoto/Musa Al Shaer, pool via EPA By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — Lamenting the exodus of Christians from their ancestral homelands, Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East pleaded for peace and security in their annual Christmas messages. In separate statements, the prelates shared their anguish regarding the …
Archbishop Wester blasts effort to bring back grocery tax in New Mexico
IMAGE: CNS photo/Octavio Duran By SANTA FE, N.M. (CNS) — Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester attacked an effort to reinstate tax on groceries in New Mexico. In a statement a week before Christmas, he said such a tax burdens the poor and working families. “Our neighbors are hungry!” he …
Pope asks people to offer love, tears, prayers for persecuted Christians
IMAGE: CNS/Vatican Museums By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite increased persecution and attacks against Christians, the faithful must strengthen their courage and joyful desire to follow Christ no matter the cost, Pope Francis said. By choosing God’s path of truth, “light and life” over all else, Christians continue …
World scarred by war, greed must welcome prince of peace, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The song of the angels that heralded the birth of Christ urges men and women to seek peace in a world divided by war, terrorism and greed, Pope Francis said. “Today this message goes out to the ends of …