IMAGE: CNS/EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When a group of German Christians was asked in 2014 to prepare materials for the 2017 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, their choice of a “wall” as a symbol of sin, evil and division explicitly referred to the Berlin Wall. …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are called to renew their faithfulness to God every day and not procrastinate when it comes to their own personal conversion, Pope Francis said. A hardened heart that sets aside “receiving the love of God” for another day, may find that …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By James Martone WASHINGTON (CNS) — An emerging Catholic dialogue with Muslims aims to show public support for Islamic American communities. The dialogue stems from concerns expressed by U.S. bishops in the wake of “a serious uptick in violence against American Muslims … to make …

IMAGE: CNS file photo By SAN ANTONIO (CNS) — Retired Archbishop Patrick F. Flores, 87, the first Mexican-American bishop in the United States, died of pneumonia and congestive heart failure Jan. 9 at Padua Place Residence for retired priests in San Antonio. The bishop, who dropped out of school to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jason Miczek, Reuters By CHARLESTON, S.C. (CNS) — Jurors unanimously agreed to sentence Dylann Roof to death for killing nine black churchgoers. In closing statements before the deliberation Jan. 10, the unrepentant 22-year-old told jurors that “I still feel like I had to do it,” the Associated Press …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The leadership of the Order of Malta denied the legality of a Vatican investigation into the forced resignation of the group’s former grand chancellor, but the commission established by Pope Francis said it “is completely legitimate and authorized” to …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Watch out for the tempting promises and easy rewards of false gods and idols because they always lead to confusion, disappointment and even death, Pope Francis said. “We are tempted to seek even fleeting comfort, which seems to fill the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/J.D. Long-Garcia, The Tidings By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has named Auxiliary Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Los Angeles as bishop of Salt Lake City. Bishop Solis, 63, a native of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, has been auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles since 2004. Previously, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy FOCUS By Ana Franco-Guzman SAN ANTONIO (CNS) — In need of reigniting the fire for his Catholic faith, Jeremy Martins found the flame he needed during SEEK 2017. “SEEK is the log I was waiting for,” said Martins, a junior at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. “It …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jesus astonished people with the way he taught and interacted with others because he wasn’t aloof, domineering or hypocritical, Pope Francis said in a homily. “Jesus wasn’t allergic to people. Touching lepers, the sick did not disgust him,” whereas the Pharisees — who …