Author Archive
When it comes to prayer, there is no room for individualism, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Prayer is not just a private and intimate dialogue between a person and God, but rather an opportunity for Christians to bring the needs of others before the Lord, Pope Francis said. "There is no room for individualism in …
Great expectations: Vatican abuse summit has key, realistic goals
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — All eyes and ears will be on the Vatican during an unprecedented gathering Feb. 21-24 to discuss the protection of minors in the Catholic Church. When Pope Francis announced the international meeting in September, it sparked an optimistic note …
In video, Bridgeport bishop calls sex abuse by clerics crime and sin
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a video posted Feb. 11 on YouTube, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, offered support for the "many sisters and brothers who have been wounded, violated, hurt and abused at the hands of priests and deacons" and whose …
Update: Mexican shelters strain with arrival of asylum-seekers at U.S. border
IMAGE: CNS photo/cDavid Agren By David Agren PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico (CNS) — Gangs in Honduras first threatened Denia Garcia’s husband six months ago, telling him to join with them or die. Her husband, a police officer, fled to the United States, arriving successfully. In his absence, the gangs threatened Garcia, …
Indiana parish opens ‘Blessing Box’ as a gift to people in need
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish By John Shaughnessy INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Father Doug Marcotte believes "there’s no better way to change a community than one small act of kindness at a time." So the pastor of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville embraced a …
‘Cardinal virtue’ of justice must be protected, pope tells judges
IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Justice, along with prudence, fortitude and temperance, is a virtue that must be defended for the good of society, Pope Francis told a group of Italian judges. A world without justice risks weakening the very fabric of society …
Witness, discipleship are key to missionary work, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Proclaiming the Gospel is not the same thing as proselytism and often means simply being a neighbor and friend to someone while living an authentically Christian life, Pope Francis said. Mission "is that dynamic that leads you to be …
Judge allows survey of church property for border wall construction
IMAGE: CNS photo/Loren Elliott, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — A judge in Texas ruled Feb. 6 that the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, must allow federal officials to survey some of its property for possible construction of a border wall on it. The action had been blocked by Brownsville …
Archbishop Gomez calls for ‘new humanism’ amid troubled times
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Jacob Comello WASHINGTON (CNS) — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles told a crowd of priests, women religious and students the story of a Spanish missionary named Montesinos. Witnessing the cruelty of colonialists to Indians, Montesinos did not back down in a 1511 Advent …
Africa is also grappling with clerical abuse, say Catholic leaders
IMAGE: CNS photo/Afolabi Sotunde, Reuters By Fredrick Nzwili NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) — When child sexual abuse scandals involving Catholic priests emerge in Africa, they do not draw a frenzied reaction similar to that witnessed in developed countries, but the continent’s church is affected, said Catholic leaders. While there is a …