FAITH/STORIES
VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican has expanded its fight against sex abuse in the Church by giving all lay movements and associations a December deadline to submit formal guidelines and protocols for reporting and preventing cases of abuse.
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named a retired bishop to serve as apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Lyon, France, three months after refusing to accept the resignation of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin.
Pope Francis announces themes for upcoming WYD celebrations
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Announcing the themes for the next three World Youth Day celebrations, Pope Francis called on young men and women to meditate on the path of Christian life that God has called them to walk.
Australians bishops begin 'ad limina' visits acknowledging impact of crisis
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The president of the Australian bishops' conference told his fellow bishops that it is "a time of humiliation" for Catholic Church leaders, but he is convinced that God is still at work.
Pope Francis: Receive Communion every time as if it were the first time
VATICAN CITY -- Every time a Catholic receives Communion, it should be like his or her first Communion, Pope Francis said.
Was there a little help from a friend?
By Catholic News ServiceST. LOUIS -- Before the St. Louis Blues beat the Boston Bruins in Game 7 on June 12 to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in the team’s 52-year history, Twitter was alive with hopes for a little divine intervention for such a victory — maybe even from St. John Paul II.
Pope Francis: Theologians must be people of compassion, prayer
VATICAN CITY -- Theology develops through dialogue, not an aggressive defense of doctrine that seeks to impose its beliefs on others, Pope Francis said.
Patriarch criticizes European governments on immigration
By Catholic News ServiceNAPLES, Italy -- The Mediterranean Sea, which has been and again could be a route for a meeting of peoples and cultures, instead is a "border not to be crossed" between the poor South and the wealthy North, said Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
Vatican official praises Catholic media for coverage of sex abuse crisis
By Greg Erlandson, Catholic News ServiceST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- In a remarkably frank and detailed speech, the Vatican official heading the department charged with reviewing clergy sexual abuse allegations told an assembly of Catholic journalists that his investigators and the press "share the same goal, which is the protection of minors, and we have the same wish to leave the world a little better than how we found it."
Wednesday Audience: Church born from the fire of love
VATICAN CITY -- Like an orchestra conductor leading a symphony of different sounds and harmonies, the Holy Spirit creates a masterpiece of unity and communion that extols God's love, Pope Francis said.
Young adult leaders gather for post-synod discussion
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Catholic young adults felt the hierarchy started listening to them in preparation for the 2018 Synod of Bishops on young people, and they will do whatever they can to make sure their voices continue to be heard, said a youth minister from New Zealand.
Use of term 'viri probati' questioned by Synod bishop
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- While the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Amazon aims to highlight the damage wrought by climate change and exploitation, the possibility of ordaining married men to minister in remote areas of the rainforest continues to garner more attention.
Mass returns to Notre-Dame
By Catholic News ServicePARIS -- The archbishop of Paris wore a hard hat as he celebrated the first Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral since a huge blaze devastated the landmark building in April.