Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s doctrinal congregation upheld a Spanish bishop’s refusal to allow a transsexual person to be a godparent. Bishop Rafael Zornoza Boy of Cadiz and Ceuta said in a written statement that the Catechism of the Catholic Church says godparents must be “firm believers, able …

CNA/EWTN News Just 357 priest working to evangelize 11.2 million people, along with 2,000 faithful who offer their homes where there are no church buildings – these are among the aspects that Pope Francis will encounter when he visits Cuba later this month. Pope Francis will be in Cuba Sept. …

By Mark Pattison  Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington called for solidarity with the persecuted Christians of the Middle East during a Sept. 9 prayer service at a Roman Catholic church on Capitol Hill. The prayer service was held in conjunction with the In Defense …

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON -– Stephen Colbert, who took over Sept. 8 as host of CBS’ “Late Night” program, said in an interview for Canada’s Salt + Light Television that his “Colbert Report” character was intended to be a “well­-intentioned, poorly informed, high-­status idiot.” “I would say …

CNA/EWTN News Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles ordained three new auxiliary bishops on Tuesday, including the prominent internet evangelist Father Robert Barron. The archbishop encouraged the new bishops to bring the joy of God’s love to their flock. “As bishops, you are servants of hope. And you always …

By Christina Leslie Catholic News Service MANASQUAN, N.J.– Bishop David M. O’Connell of Trenton, New Jersey, called on Catholics to examine their consciences and to take important steps to protect the environment during a Mass marking the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation. He urged the hundreds of …

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) Updated: 10:30 a.m. — While a juridical process is necessary for making accurate judgments, the Catholic Church’s marriage annulment process must be quicker, cheaper and much more of a pastoral ministry, Pope Francis said.

Editor’s Note: This post contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised. Catholic News Service LONDON (CNS) — Images of drowned refugees are causing the British people to cry out for a more generous response to the migrant crisis engulfing Europe, said an English cardinal. Speaking to ITV News Sept. 2, …

Catholic News Service MCALLEN, Texas — At Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, members of the community, most of them volunteers at a respite center for immigrants at Sacred Heart parish hall, were invited to a special event by ABC News, but were not informed in advance of just how special that event …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In an extraordinary gesture for the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has extended to priests worldwide the authority to absolve women for the sin of abortion and has decreed the full validity during the year of the sacrament of confession celebrated by …