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FAITH/STORIES

A painting of Martin Luther (1532) by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Next year marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Cardinal Kasper wrote in his new book that Catholic-Lutheran relations have been inching towards unity

Focus on mercy is Catholic-Lutheran common ground, says Kasper

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VATICAN CITY – The ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017 can be a time to celebrate the fact that Christians are no longer "on the path of separation, but that of unity," said Cardinal Walter Kasper, former president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Migrant workers harvest corn on Uesugi Farms in Gilroy, CA on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. Pope Francis says those who exploit cheap labour are 'leeches.'

Those exploiting cheap labour are ‘leeches,’ Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – Human traffickers and unjust business owners who become wealthy by exploiting others for cheap labour commit a mortal sin, said Pope Francis. 

Sr. Rita Larivée

Call to study female deacons just one part of Pope’s review of role of women in Church

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An exclusive focus on whether or not women might be ordained deacons misses the real point of the conversation Pope Francis had with leaders of 900 orders of nuns May 12 at the Vatican, said a Canadian sister who was present for the gathering.

Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 18.

To ignore the poor is to despise God, pope says at general audience

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VATICAN CITY – How Christians treat the poor is the clearest demonstration of their relationship with God, Pope Francis insisted.

Pope Francis greets Sister Carmen Sammut, president of the International Union of Superiors General, during an audience with the heads of women's religious orders in Paul VI hall at the Vatican May 12. During a question-and-answer session with members of the UISG, the pope said he was willing to establish a commission to study whether women could serve as deacons.

Top nun pushes for women deacons, greater role for Catholic women

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VATICAN CITY – Catholic sisters globally would be better-equipped to carry out their work if they could become deacons, the head of a global network of nuns has said, an important marker in the sharp debate over women deacons that Pope Francis opened last week.

Fr. Thomas O’Meara delivers his Vast Universe lecture May 12 at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto.

We can’t discount there is intelligent life elsewhere

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TORONTO – Is there intelligent life outside of our planet? It’s possible, said Fr. Thomas O’Meara.

May 17, 2016
Service, not power, is the true Christian path

Service, not power, is the true Christian path

Saying Jesus' path is serving others, Pope Francis urged Christians on Tuesday to overcome the lure of worldliness and human ambition and warned against social climbers who are tempted to destroy the other in order to reach the top. His remarks came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence. 

May 16, 2016
Gift of the Spirit renews our relationship with God (Pentecost Sunday)

Gift of the Spirit renews our relationship with God (Pentecost Sunday)

“I will not leave you orphans” (Jn 14:18).

The central purpose of Jesus' mission, which culminated in the gift of the Holy Spirit, was to renew our relationship with the Father, a relationship severed by sin, to take us from our state of being orphaned children and to restore us as his sons and daughters.

May 12, 2016
Christians seek unity, those who sow weeds divide

Christians seek unity, those who sow weeds divide

Jesus prays for the unity of Christians, but within the Church there are those who sow weeds (It: zizzanieri), those who divide and destroy the community with their tongues. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta.

Last summer, Alisa Soropia gave out rosaries to local children during a mission trip to Iloilo, Philippines.

Rosary making turned into life’s ministry

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TORONTO – It is a collection of beads hung on a chain or a piece of rope, anchored by a cross. The rosary may not look like much but it is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons Catholics can carry.

May 10, 2016
A missionary’s life is consumed in the service of Christ

A missionary’s life is consumed in the service of Christ

Pope Francis said missionaries are docile to the call of the Holy Spirit which leads them to be consumed by a burning desire to dedicate their life to announcing the gospel, even in the most distant places. The characteristics of those men and women who choose to serve the Church by going on mission were the focus of the Pope’s homily at his morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence on Tuesday.

May 9, 2016
The Holy Spirit makes us real Christians, not virtual ones

The Holy Spirit makes us real Christians, not virtual ones

Pope Francis says it is the Holy Spirit that moves the Church but for many Christians today, the Holy Spirit is a stranger.

May 6, 2016
A Christian does not anesthetize pain

A Christian does not anesthetize pain

Pope Francis said on Friday that a Christian does not anesthetize or numb pain but lives through it in the hope that God will give us a joy that nobody can take away. That was the key message of the Pope’s homily at his morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.

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