IMAGE: CNS By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — These days when Pope Francis talks about integral human development and his vision of a church that goes to the margins of the world, he undoubtedly thanks a predecessor of 50 years ago for the inspiration. Blessed Paul VI addressed “the progressive …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Clodagh Kilcoyne, Reuters By Michael Kelly DUBLIN (CNS) — Martin McGuinness, 66, who went from being a paramilitary leader to laying the foundations for peace in Northern Ireland, died March 21. McGuinness was diagnosed with a rare heart condition in December and died in a hospital in Londonderry, …

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The inclusion of “critical life protections” in the House health care bill is laudable, but other provisions, including those related to Medicaid and tax credits, are “troubling” and “must be addressed” before the measure is passed, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee. …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Pope Francis asked God’s forgiveness for the failures of the Catholic Church during the 1994 Rwanda genocide and for the hatred and violence perpetrated by some priests and religious. “He implored anew God’s forgiveness for the sins and …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of the Archdiocese of San Salvador By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande has been credited with inspiring Blessed Oscar Romero, archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador, toward a journey of defending the poor that led to his martyrdom in 1980.  But now, Father …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A few hours after urging priests to be generously available for the sacrament of penance, Pope Francis went to confession, then offered the sacrament to seven Catholics. Presiding over the annual Lenten penance service March 17 in St. Peter’s Basilica, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin By Andrew Nelson JACKSON, Ga. (CNS) — As a kid, Richard McPhee played the clarinet. But when his firefighter father asked for “Amazing Grace” at his funeral with the skirl of the pipes, McPhee pledged to his father, he’d take care of it. Now …

IMAGE: CNS/Evandro Inetti, pool By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Hear confession every time someone asks, Pope Francis said, and don’t ever put limited hours on the sacrament of reconciliation. “Please, let there never be those signs that say, ‘Confessions: Mondays and Wednesdays from this time to that time,’” …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Chaz Muth WASHINGTON (CNS) — Almsgiving is a Lenten tradition and Washington resident Ron Van Bellen says his volunteer work feeding the homeless honors his Catholic faith as he prepares for Easter. The real estate agent and parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By ARMAGH, Northern Ireland (CNS) — The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has urged Irish people and those of Irish descent celebrating St. Patrick’s Day to remember the plight of migrants. Archbishop Eamon Martin — St. Patrick’s modern-day successor as archbishop of Armagh …