FAITH/STORIES
Overcome spiritual desolation through prayer, not pills or drink
Pope Francis said silence and prayer is the way to overcome our darkest moments, rather than resorting to pills or alcoholic drinks to escape from our woes. His comments came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated on Tuesday at the Santa Marta residence.
Mass for Jubilee of Catechists
Pope Francis celebrated Mass to mark the Jubilee of Catechists on Sunday – the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Jubilee of Catechists in the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
VATICAN CITY – In an effort to ensure transparency as well as historical and scientific accuracy, Pope Francis has approved revised norms for the Congregation for Saints' Causes regarding medical consultations on healings alleged to be miracles.
Catholic-Orthodox commission approves statement on authority
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Catholics and Orthodox need to explore ways authority can be understood and exercised so that is not an obstacle to unity, a group of top-level theologians said.
Vanity is osteoporosis of the soul
Pope Francis contrasted the anxiety that comes from the Holy Spirit and the anxiety that comes from a dirty conscience. During his homily during the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, he also spoke about vanity, which “masks” life, making it look like something it is not.
Faith leaders have moral duty to counter hatred, violence, says cardinal at U.N.
By Beth Griffin, Catholic News ServiceUNITED NATIONS – Religious leaders have a grave and urgent responsibility to act against genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and other violence committed in the name of religion, said speakers at a United Nations panel Sept. 20.
Clergy abuse survivor says Vatican commission is making progress
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceThe only abuse survivor currently serving on a panel set up by Pope Francis to fight clerical sexual abuse says the Catholic Church is making good progress and welcomed changes initiated by the Vatican and the pontiff.
Pope, Christian leaders pray for peace, victims of war at interfaith gathering
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceASSISI, Italy – Jesus' cry of thirst on the cross is heard today in the cries of innocent victims of war in the world, Pope Francis said.
Justice, respect are essential for peace, patriarch says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceASSISI, Italy – The richness of the diversity found within humanity and in the created world at large is something that must be respected and never destroyed, said Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
No war is holy, Pope says at interreligious peace gathering
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceASSISI, Italy – Violence in the name of God does not represent the true nature of religion and must be condemned by all faiths, Pope Francis said.
Failure of ecumenism would imprison mercy, Anglican archbishop says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceASSISI, Italy – Churches that are not reconciled with one another weaken the experience of mercy that unites believers to God and with each other, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury said.
Religious leaders praise Patriarch Bartholomew as a great ecumenist
By Junno Arocho, Esteves Catholic News ServiceASSISI, Italy – As leaders of dozens of religions gathered in Assisi for dialogue and prayers for peace, they honored Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as an exemplar of one who is so deeply rooted in his own religious tradition that he can reach out to others without fear.
War is shameful, prayers to ‘God of peace’ in Assisi
The world needs to go “beyond the divisions of religions,” and feel the “shame” of war, without turning a “deaf ear” to the cries of those who are suffering: that’s what Pope Francis said in his Homily at Mass at Santa Marta Tuesday morning.