Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings
WASHINGTON – In response to the Declaration “Fiducia supplicans” issued by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith today, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement from its spokesperson, Chieko Noguchi, executive director of public affairs. “The Declaration issued today by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the …
Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings
With the Declaration “Fiducia supplicans” issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Francis, it will be possible to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritualization or offering the impression of a marriage. The doctrine regarding marriage does not change, and the blessing …
A Missed Opportunity
by John Stegeman Nine days before Christmas I missed an opportunity to share my faith in Jesus. I took a walk from my office to the downtown Cincinnati Kroger. Anyone familiar with the area knows that the space in front of Kroger attracts all kinds. Sometimes there are panhandlers, other …
Vatican doctrine office encourages single mothers to receive Communion after confession
By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 14, 2023 / 13:50 pm The Vatican’s doctrine office published a letter on Thursday confirming that single mothers can receive Communion after going to confession and urging the need for further “pastoral work” in parts of the world where single mothers might still face harsh …
What Gives You Pause in Your Faith?
I ran two whole miles yesterday. That doesn’t sound like a lot, so let’s call it 10,560 feet; and I ran them all without stopping. This is huge for me, not because I’ve never been the athletic type, but because, by God’s grace, I’m recognizing more frequently my fear of …
A cardinal, an archbishop, and a bishop reveal their vocation stories
By Joe Bukuras CNA Staff, Dec 17, 2023 / 09:00 am Serving at the altar for Venerable Fulton J. Sheen played a major role in one U.S. cardinal’s vocational journey. For another bishop, falling to his knees at the tomb of St. Peter was a pivotal moment. And an archbishop said …
During fundraiser, priest makes ‘longest shot ever by a priest on a playground’
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 16, 2023 / 08:00 am Father Jarett Konrade, pastor of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Beloit, Kansas, made an impressive basketball shot recently during a fundraiser, landing him on the “Images of the Week” for “EWTN News In Depth.” Two years …
Pope Francis celebrates 87th birthday with children who receive aid from Vatican clinic
By Matthew Santucci Rome Newsroom, Dec 17, 2023 / 13:50 pm Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday on Sunday morning ahead of his weekly Angelus by meeting with children and families who are assisted by the Vatican’s Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary. Addressing the families present — who presented the Holy Father with a …
Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says
By Daniel Payne Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 16, 2023 / 15:02 pm Two Christian women were killed on Saturday by an Israeli sniper at the Catholic Holy Family Parish in Gaza, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Saturday morning. The patriarchate said in a statement that “around noon” on Dec. 16, a …
How to pray the 300-year-old ‘Christmas novena’
By Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 15, 2023 / 17:15 pm An Italian priest named Father Charles Vachetta is credited with writing a novena in 1721 to inspire his parishioners during Advent. Today, that novena is known as the “Christmas novena.” The nine-day prayer begins on Dec. 16 and concludes …
