Press Release USCCB WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court decision, June 26, interpreting the U.S. Constitution to require all states to license and recognize same-sex “marriage” “is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. …

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service WASHINGTON  — In a landmark ruling, a divided Supreme Court June 26 said same-sex marriage is constitutional nationwide. “The nature of marriage is that, through its enduring bond, two persons together can find other freedoms, such as expression, intimacy, and spirituality,” wrote Justice Anthony …

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe said “in a million years” she never thought she would be a religious sister. But she was so impressed with the work of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, dubbed the “running nuns” for their efforts …

By Barbara J. Fraser Catholic News Service LIMA, Peru  — When Pope Francis lands in Ecuador July 5, he will be returning to a country where he has long-standing bonds of ministry and friendship. He will celebrate one such bond the next day, lunching with 90-year-old Father Francisco Cortes, known as …

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — More than 1.5 million people are expected for the Mass with Pope Francis in Philadelphia this September, said organizers of the next World Meeting of Families. A high-level delegation from Philadelphia, led by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, was in Rome as …

By Michele Jurich Catholic News Service BERKELEY, Calif. — It’s just before noon on a sunny Saturday on Berkeley’s Fourth Street, a busy boulevard of upscale cafes, shops and businesses. The gleaming Apple store is doing a bang-up business in the next newest thing; a steady stream of customers await …

By Mariana Karapinka Catholic News Service KHARKIV, Ukraine — In post-Soviet Ukraine, churches are rebuilding. Not just structures, but parish communities as well. A delegation from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops got to see for themselves the progress that Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Greek Catholic communities were making during …

By Susan Szalewski Catholic News Service PAPILLION, Neb. — About 7,000 people spent part of their Father’s Day with their spiritual fathers — their priests — at a Nebraska softball matchup between priests of the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Lincoln. The two teams met at Werner Park …

By Michael Swan Catholic News Service TORONTO — The Paulist Fathers don’t want to leave Toronto, but they say they must. The unusual uptick in vocations after the World War II has worked its way through the system and there are not enough priests left to staff the ambitious little …

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The deep hurts that spouses inflict on each other cause great suffering to their children and, in some cases, lead to a separation that is “morally necessary” to protect spouses and children from more serious forms of violence, Pope Francis said …