Author Archive
Hurricane Matthew tears through Haiti as aid workers prepare to respond
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alejandro Ernesto, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Wind-whipped rains from Hurricane Matthew shattered Haiti’s southwest peninsula, downing trees, ripping open makeshift wooden homes and causing widespread flooding Oct. 4 as aid workers waited for the storm to subside before mobilizing. The city of Les Cayes and …
Pope visits towns in central Italy devastated by earthquake
IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Amid the devastation wrought by an earthquake in central Italy, Pope Francis quietly prayed and offered words of consolation to survivors and those assisting in relief efforts. Later, when crowds pressed around him, the pope used a megaphone to …
Use of death penalty re-examined in the states, at Supreme Court
IMAGE: CNS photo/Shawn Thew, EPA By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in the November …
Justice, mercy are twin virtues for the law, Red Mass homilist says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard By Mark Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Those involved in the administration of law should seek justice and mercy in their work, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Oct. 2. “Those two virtues must intersect in our lives and actions,” said …
When political choice is tough, pray and vote your conscience, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN (CNS) — Catholics facing difficult political choices must study the issues, pray about the election and then vote according to their consciences, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome from Azerbaijan Oct. 2, the pope was asked by …
Gay, transgender people deserve pastoral care, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN (CNS) — Catholics who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome Oct. 2 after …
Pope sees ‘global war’ against marriage, urges church help for couples
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — Pope Francis said a global war against marriage is underway and Catholics must respond by helping couples stay strong and by providing pastoral care to those experiencing difficulty. “Today there is a global war to destroy marriage,” the pope said …
Unity and division: Ecumenical realities on display at papal Mass
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — At a papal Mass focused on two female saints, the longing for Christian unity and the painful reality of Christian division were strong undertones. Celebrating Mass Oct. 1, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, Pope Francis also praised St. …
With love and regret, pope tells Argentina he can’t visit this year or next
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a heartfelt letter to his homeland Sept. 30, Pope Francis told his fellow Argentines that he will not be able to visit this or next year because of obligations in Asia and Africa. “You don’t know how much I would …
San Diego bishop calls for calm, police transparency in shooting case
IMAGE: CNS photo/Earnie Grafton, Reuters By SAN DIEGO (CNS) — Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego asked people to pray for calm and called on police to be “as transparent as possible” in their investigation following the shooting of unarmed man in a San Diego suburb. The bishop said …