Pope, cardinal advisers study 'healthy decentralization' proposals
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and members of his international Council of Cardinals discussed the possibility of allowing local bishops rather than the Vatican decide on certain matters, including the marriage or priestly ordination of permanent deacons.
Life of priest killed in Iraq for his faith documented in new book
By Hannah Brockhaus, CNA/EWTN NewsROME, Italy – When Fr. Ragheed Aziz Ganni was confronted by armed men after celebrating the Eucharist at his Chaldean Catholic parish in Mosul, they asked him why he was still there and why he hadn't closed the church as they had demanded.
Polish bishops see continuity between Francis and John Paul II’s teaching on family
By Elise Harris, CNA/EWTN NewsKRAKOW, Poland – The pastoral care of families was one of the key areas of discussion for Poland's bishops in their latest plenary assembly, which focused on continuity between the teaching of St. John Paul II and Pope Francis.
Uphold a woman's right to contribute fully to society, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – The more women are involved in and contribute to communities, politics, economics and the church, the more positive changes will come about, Pope Francis said.
Restorers unveil frescoed chambers in the Catacombs of St. Domitilla
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceROME – Under a mown hayfield, whose dried-out stalks crunch underfoot, lies the four-level labyrinth of the early Christian Catacombs of St. Domitilla.
10 years later, ’Summorum Pontificum’ hailed as instrument of unity
By Elise Harris, CNA/EWTN NewsROME, Italy – Ten years after Benedict XVI broadened access to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, the document by which he did so is being hailed as a means of closing the rift of division following liturgical changes made after the Second Vatican Council.
Cloistered nuns turn to Facebook to ensure order's survival
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceROME – For centuries they lived in isolation and silence.
Mali's first cardinal said to foster regional peace, understanding
By Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News ServiceOXFORD, England – Cardinal-elect Jean Zerbo of Bamako, Mali, the first from the western Africa nation, will use his position to ease the multiple crises facing sub-Saharan regions, an aide said, despite new media accusations linking him to a financial scandal.
One in the Spirit: Catholics, Pentecostals celebrate Pentecost with Pope
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis' very public friendship with and overtures to Pentecostal and evangelical leaders is a high-profile reflection of a relationship that already existed at the grass roots between Catholic charismatics and some of their Spirit-filled neighbours, leaders of the renewal said.
Appointment not about career, but service, Spain's cardinal-designate says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Cardinal-designate Juan Jose Omella of Barcelona, Spain, said his appointment isn't a job promotion but a call to be more like Jesus, who came to serve the poor and marginalized.
Pope will elevate Sweden's sole bishop to College of Cardinals
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Cardinal-designate Anders Arborelius of Stockholm is Sweden's only Catholic bishop and the first native Swede to hold the post since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s.