FAITH/STORIES
More Catholics, fewer receiving sacraments: New report maps changing Church
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, Religion News ServiceA new report mapping the Catholic Church’s more than 1.2 billion souls — on track to reach 1.64 billion by 2050 — holds some surprises.
And not all bode well for the Church’s future as it faces major demographic and social shifts.
Vatican defends Australian cardinal against charges he disregarded pedophile priests
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican threw its support behind its financial chief, Cardinal George Pell, on Monday (June 1), after he was accused of being “almost sociopathic” in his handling of clergy sex abuse by a leading member of a papal commission dedicated to tackling the issue.
Pope Francis lists abortion, unsafe workplaces among 'attacks on life'
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Abortion, abandoning migrants at sea, unsafe working conditions, malnutrition, terrorism and euthanasia are all "attacks on life," said Pope Francis.
Finance watchdog agency praises Vatican bank reporting system
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican's financial watchdog agency conducted its first routine on-site inspection of the Vatican bank to verify its compliance with regulations to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Vatican looks to reform its media operations, add multimedia
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceThe Vatican is dragging its media machine into the 21st century, promising to promote social media and streamline its fragmented services with the help of a former BBC executive.
Papal visits have brought hope to divided Bosnia, cardinal says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A papal visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina brings hope, joy and some "soul" to this ethnically divided, Catholic-minority Balkan nation, the country's cardinal said.
Pope tells Franciscans to stay true to charism
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis urged Franciscan friars to hold true to their charism of fraternity, humility and poverty and not lose the respect they have earned over the centuries for living up to those ideals.
Vatican bank posts large profit, continues review of account holders
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Institute for the Works of Religion, commonly known as the Vatican bank, showed a large jump in profits in 2014 as it continued to winnow its accounts.
Pope, in interview, talks about his daily habits, hopes, concerns
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said he wants to be remembered as "a good person who tried to do good. I cannot ask for anything more than that."
Great joy praying with Francis
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsVATICAN CITY - On May 8, I had the joyful privilege of meeting Pope Francis following one of his private Masses at his residence at Casa Santa Marta inside Vatican City.
Greenbacks and the green economy: Ecology is good business
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Consumers want products that are environmentally friendly, and businesses that are not on board are already starting to feel the pinch, said the CEO of the multinational Unilever.
Mother Teresa's canonization in 2016 only hypothetical, says Vatican
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Despite reports in the Italian press that Blessed Teresa of Kolkata's canonization has been set for Sept. 4, 2016, a Vatican spokesman says the date is only hypothetical and cannot be confirmed.
Pope gives coaches game plan for building team spirit, ethical players
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Coaches need to show integrity, fairness, patience, joy and kindness, especially toward those who are struggling, Pope Francis said.