Author Archive
To help Syrian refugees, get to roots of war, Melkite archbishop tells EU
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Melkite Catholic diocese of Furzol, Zahle and the Bekaa in Lebanon By BRUSSELS (CNS) — Aside from humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees and concrete efforts to help them return to their homeland, the international community should work toward eradicating the roots of wars and violence, an archbishop …
Honoring saints can heal body, soul, says priest leading relics tour
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ed Koskey Jr., The Catholic Spirit By Anthony Salamone MIDDLESEX, N.J. (CNS) — Father Carlos Martins preaches that for Catholics to reach heaven, they must possess forgiving hearts, participate in the sacraments and live their Christian identities to the fullest. The priest, a member of the Companions of …
People should not fear difference, but division, pope says at audience
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — No one should be afraid that God has allowed there to be different religions in the world, Pope Francis said. "But we should be frightened if we are not doing the work of fraternity, of walking together in life" …
People of faith seen as key to creating more humane correctional system
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Oregon Department of Corrections By Katie Scott PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — Prisons should be places where punishment is the absence of freedom and community, but where "everything else models life on the outside to every degree possible" and prisoners are treated with dignity, according to the director …
Church, world need the gifts, enthusiasm of young people, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The life of a young person and the vocation to which God calls each one is "holy ground" that pastors and parents must respect, nurture and encourage, Pope Francis wrote in a new apostolic exhortation. "Christus Vivit" ("Christ Lives"), …
Texas looking into city vote to bar restaurant chain over marriage views
IMAGE: CNS photo/Rashid Umar, Reuters By SAN ANTONIO (CNS) — The marketplace, not elected officials, should decide whether a company should open an outlet in a particular location, said San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller. In a March 27 statement, he said he has been asked what he thinks of the …
New head of CLINIC is experienced litigator, expert on immigration law
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Mark Pattison SILVER SPRING, Md. (CNS) — Many people might not have noticed that Anna Gallagher took over Feb. 1 as executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC. If they hadn’t, they certainly would have March 8, when she called a …
Pope: Countries that sell arms have no right to talk about peace
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jose Cabezas, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Nations that actively engage in arms dealing and help foment war in other countries should not expect to find peace in their own lands, Pope Francis said. During a wide-ranging interview with the Spanish news program, "Salvados," …
‘Spiritual combat’ must be part of fight against sex abuse, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO ROME (CNS) — To fight clerical sexual abuse, the Catholic Church must have clear laws and procedures, but it also must engage in "spiritual combat," because it is obvious the devil is at work, Pope Francis said. After …
Spread mercy, build fraternity, pope urges Morocco’s Christian minority
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden RABAT, Morocco (CNS) — Celebrating Mass with members of Morocco’s tiny Catholic community, Pope Francis praised them for the many ways they "bear witness to the Gospel of mercy in this land." At the Mass March 31 in an arena at Rabat’s Prince …