By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world’s cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a …

By Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The cardinals and archbishops who are members of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes met July 2 and, according to Italian news reports, took steps to advance the sainthood causes of Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII. The Vatican press office confirmed …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The director and the deputy director of the Vatican bank, which is being investigated by a special papal commission, resigned July 1.

From News Reports and the USCCB The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 110-page ruling on its health care mandate, released today, requires time for analysis, said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cardinal Dolan also expressed gratitude for the five-month …

The Pope’s general prayer intention for July is: “That World Youth Day in Brazil may encourage all young Christians to become disciples and missionaries of the Gospel.”   His mission intention is: “That throughout Asia doors may open to messengers of the Gospel.”

By Bill Howard Catholic News Service DENVER (CNS) — The nation’s heated debate over immigration reform this summer is “a defining historical moment for America” and “a moment for national renewal” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez told hundreds of attendees at the closing keynote address of the Catholic Media …

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a press release in the wake of the Supreme Court’s rulings on DOMA and Prop 8. The full release is included below. USCCB Press Release WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court decisions June 26 striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act and …

Staff Report The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Wednesday morning that the Defense of Marriage Act, better known as DOMA, is unconstitutional. The decision was split 5-4 in the case officially known as  U.S. vs. Windsor. More on this topic: Supreme Court decisions on DOMA, Prop 8 called …

By Veronica Ambuul Catholic News Service DENVER (CNS) — The “dumbing down of the Catholic faith” that impacted catechesis in the mid-1960s “was a pastoral disaster of the first order,” Father Robert Barron told a crowd of about 500 people at the Catholic Media Conference in Denver June 19. Other …

By Catholic News Service  NEW YORK (CNS) — The International Criminal Court declined a request from victims of clergy sexual abuse to investigate Vatican officials and their responsibility for the abuse of children by Catholic priests around the world.