IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are called to follow the example of St. Therese of Lisieux, who helped draw people to Jesus by way of attraction, not by proselytizing, Pope Francis said. She was a reminder that an authentic witness is proclaimed through …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Alejandro Ernesto, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Wind-whipped rains from Hurricane Matthew shattered Haiti’s southwest peninsula, downing trees, ripping open makeshift wooden homes and causing widespread flooding Oct. 4 as aid workers waited for the storm to subside before mobilizing. The city of Les Cayes and …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Amid the devastation wrought by an earthquake in central Italy, Pope Francis quietly prayed and offered words of consolation to survivors and those assisting in relief efforts. Later, when crowds pressed around him, the pope used a megaphone to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Shawn Thew, EPA By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in the November …

USCCB Press Release WASHINGTON—Father Andrew V. Menke has been appointed executive director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).  The appointment is effective January 1, 2017. Father Menke, 43, is a priest of the diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska and has served as associate …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard By Mark Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Those involved in the administration of law should seek justice and mercy in their work, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Oct. 2. “Those two virtues must intersect in our lives and actions,” said …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN (CNS) — Catholics facing difficult political choices must study the issues, pray about the election and then vote according to their consciences, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome from Azerbaijan Oct. 2, the pope was asked by …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN (CNS) — Catholics who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome Oct. 2 after …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — Pope Francis said a global war against marriage is underway and Catholics must respond by helping couples stay strong and by providing pastoral care to those experiencing difficulty. “Today there is a global war to destroy marriage,” the pope said …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — At a papal Mass focused on two female saints, the longing for Christian unity and the painful reality of Christian division were strong undertones. Celebrating Mass Oct. 1, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, Pope Francis also praised St. …