U.S. & World News
Lebanon mourns former Maronite Catholic patriarch, defender of freedom
Church bells could be heard ringing throughout Lebanon May 12 mourning Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, the country’s retired Maronite Catholic patriarch known for defending his country’s sovereignty and independence.
Chicago archbishop apologizes for Farrakhan visit to Catholic Church
The archbishop of Chicago apologized to the local Jewish community after a priest in the city invited the leader of the Nation of Islam to speak at his church, days after he was banned from Facebook for what it called hate speech.
Be merciful ministers of Christ, pope tells new priests
The priesthood is not a “cultural association or a union,” but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ’s mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.
Pope invites young people to pledge to build a new economy
Pope Francis has invited young economists and entrepreneurs around the world to help create a “new and courageous culture” that finds new ways to do business, promote human dignity and protect the environment.
Not ruling on apparitions, pope allows pilgrimages to Medjugorje
Parishes and dioceses are now allowed to organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it must be clear that the Catholic Church has not recognized as authentic the alleged Marian apparitions there.
Philadelphia holds ‘Pro-Life Rally Against Bullying’
More than 1,000 people gathered in Philadelphia May 10 to demonstrate against recent social media videos of a Pennsylvania lawmaker berating people for praying outside of an abortion clinic.
‘No greater love’ — Denver Catholics remember Kendrick Castillo, who died in STEM school shooting
When Sara Haynes heard about the shooting at STEM High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Tuesday, she prayed. A Catholic school teacher in Denver until just recently, she knew some of her former students were now high schoolers at STEM.
U.S. Church leaders in favor of new rules on sexual abuse reporting
U.S. Church leaders welcomed the norms issued by Pope Francis May 9 giving clear direction to the global Catholic Church about reporting abuse and holding Church leaders accountable, saying it confirms what they already have in place and also gives them a way forward.
17-year-old with Down syndrome becomes pro-life advocate in Canada
Sarah Joy Walker is alive today because her mother flatly turned down an abortion.
Women religious find a place of honor on Mother’s Day
When the elderly men and women at the Jeanne Jugan Residence for senior care pray the rosary with Sister Constance Veit, they see her as more than one of the caregivers at the facility.
Court’s abortion ruling ‘goes beyond Roe v. Wade,’ say Virginia bishops
The bishops who lead Virginia’s two dioceses blasted a federal judge’s decision allowing non-doctors to perform first-trimester abortions in the state, saying the ruling “goes beyond Roe v. Wade,” the 1972 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion virtually on demand.
Days of covering up abuse allegations are over, says Vatican adviser
Pope Francis’ new norms on protecting minors and strengthening accountability are the latest steps in driving home the message that the days of keeping abuse allegations covered up or ignored are over, said the Vatican’s top abuse investigator.
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