IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Torchia Communications By Steve Larkin WASHINGTON (CNS) — A new documentary, “John Paul II in Ireland: A Plea for Peace,” makes the case that the pope’s trip to Ireland in 1979 played a key role in ending the Troubles and bringing about peace in Northern Ireland. “When …

St. Paul, Minn., Aug 22, 2018 / 04:56 pm (CNA).- More than 100 young adults in Saint Paul, Minnesota, gathered this week to pray for the healing of sexual abuse victims and for a purification of the Church in the face of recent scandals. An estimated 120 people attended a …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — An independent lay-run board that would hold bishops accountable for their actions, a national day for Mass or prayers of reparation, and encouragement to parishioners to become more involved in their diocese are among steps suggested by prominent lay Catholics …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) — After years of Catholics having to confess their sins to the clergy, it is now time for priests and bishops “to come clean about what they have done and what they have failed to do,” the CEO of the Knights …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis blamed “clericalism” in the Catholic Church for creating a culture where criminal abuse was widespread and extraordinary efforts were made to keep the crimes hidden. Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has targeted clericalism as an illness in …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The power of God’s name is manifested in the lives of people who live their faith in an authentic way, while it is taken in vain by those who live in hypocrisy, Pope Francis said. By adhering to the …

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said penance and purification is needed to rebuild the U.S. Catholic Church and respond to the abuse crisis. He stressed the importance of strong procedures and protocols for addressing abuse claims, helping the victims and creating safe environments for all children and …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Some victims of clergy sex abuse and their supporters are calling on federal and state entities to investigate sex abuse within the Catholic Church and root out abusers and anyone who has protected them. Members of the Survivors Network of …

IMAGE: CNS Photo/ courtesy of The Catholic University of America By WASHINGTON (CNS) — In an Aug. 18 letter to students and staff at The Catholic University of America, its president, John Garvey, said the laity must have a role in rebuilding the church in the wake of a new …

By SCRANTON, Pa. (CNS) — The Jesuit-run University of Scranton announced Aug. 20 it was rescinding honorary degrees given to three former bishops of the Diocese of Scranton, and removing their names from buildings. Jesuit Father Scott Pilarz, the university president, said the school is doing so because “these bishops …