Author Archive
Vatican magazine gives attention to unheard women, official says
IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A new Vatican magazine will give attention to women’s voices, something that often has been missing in the church despite women’s important role in announcing the Gospel, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin. “If we do not listen attentively …
Pope: Straying from Jesus turns Christians into ‘spiritual mummies’
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians distracted from the path set out by Jesus can turn into decrepit “spiritual mummies,” Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. Spiritual mummies stray from the path of Christian life by choosing to stand still “not doing evil, but not doing …
Pope promises wine, not beer, to fulfill military challenge
IMAGE: CNS/Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer By Paul Haring VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis receives countless gifts, but most do not require anything in return. However, at his audience with members of the military April 30, the pope received a small gift with a tradition — and obligation — …
Pope to celebrate Mass, welcome homeless on pilgrimage to Rome
IMAGE: CNS photo/Stephanie Pilick, EPA By Gaby Maniscalco VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will welcome several thousand homeless and vulnerable people from all over Europe when they make a pilgrimage to Rome in November. European organizations that help the homeless are invited to participate in the European Festival of …
Northern Ireland bishops urge voters to ask about abortion, poverty
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Mcerlane, EPA By Michael Kelly DUBLIN (CNS) — Northern Ireland’s Catholic bishops urged Massgoers to support candidates opposed to legalizing abortion in elections to the region’s power-sharing assembly May 5. In a wide-ranging pastoral statement ahead of the polls, the bishops also urged Catholics to lobby lawmakers …
Father Daniel Berrigan, advocate for justice, peace, poor, dies at 94
IMAGE: CNS files By NEW YORK (CNS) — Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan, an early critic of U.S. military intervention in Vietnam who for years challenged the country’s reliance on military might, died April 30. He was 94. The author of several books of poetry and one of the first Catholic …
Reconciliation with God, others is key to peace, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For peace in the family, community and nation, people need to recognize their faults and ask forgiveness, Pope Francis told thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds of soldiers, sailors and police officers from around the world. “In your families, in the …
Trevi Fountain illuminated in remembrance of Christian martyrs
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Gaby Maniscalco ROME (CNS) — The Trevi Fountain, a Rome landmark, was lit up in red April 29 in a graphic commemoration of the thousands of modern Christians martyred for their faith. The event was sponsored by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, …
World must respond to Islamic State genocide actions, U.N. conference hears
IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By Daphnie Vega UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — While religious freedom in much of the Middle East is under siege and the civil war in Syria seems to have no end in sight, Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of Columbus, and others called the United …
Ethics must guide medical research, protect human dignity, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Moral and ethical concerns must guide medical research so it will always be at the service of protecting human life and dignity, Pope Francis said. In that way, education and research can strive “to serve higher values, such as solidarity, …