WASHINGTON (CNS) — Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, is often viewed as a time to give up something and go without meat on Fridays. But a glance at almost any Catholic parish bulletin during Lent will reveal that a lot is more going on during this time with increased opportunities for prayer, confession, Stations
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jesus was motivated by truth and mercy, not blanket judgments that lead to deceit and hypocritical ways of skirting around God’s law, Pope Francis said. Christians are called to be “just in mercy” rather than following the letter of the law but not the heart of the law, the pope said
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In two memos published Feb. 20, the Department of Homeland Security outlined guidelines that White House officials said would enhance enforcement of immigration laws inside the country as well as prevent further unauthorized immigration into the U.S. In a Feb. 21 news briefing, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the guidelines
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians must never lose hope and should remind themselves that God loves them even at their worst, Pope Francis said. God’s love provides “security” both in difficult moments and even when “I have done something terrible and evil,” the pope said Feb. 15 during
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The provisions of “Amoris Laetitia” allow people in irregular marriage situations access to the sacraments only if they recognize their situation is sinful and desire to change it, according to the cardinal who heads the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. The fact that such a
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Diocese of Coimbra concluded its phase of the sainthood cause of Carmelite Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three children who saw Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. Bishop Virgilio Antunes of Coimbra formally closed the local phase of investigation into her
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The exploitation of any person is a crime, but the exploitation of a woman “destroys harmony” in the world, Pope Francis said. Commenting on the Genesis story of God creating Eve, Pope Francis told people at his early morning Mass Feb. 9 that the creation
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When updating the Catholic Church’s medical and bioethical charter, experts decided it wasn’t enough to aim the guidelines at health care professionals. The entire “ecosystem” encompassing medical workers, patients, the sick and vulnerable had to be addressed, said the head of the drafting committee. Everything
By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — Religious leaders are the “trusted soldiers” people turn to when dealing with mental health issues, and their ability to identify God’s presence in people’s lives gives hope and strength to hurting members of the community, according to speakers at a Mental Health Summit for faith
By Valerie Schmalz Catholic News Service SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) — The Trump administration’s apparent endorsement of parental school choice could present a “huge opportunity” for Catholic school parents, the president of the National Catholic Educational Association told a group of Catholic high school teachers in San Francisco. “This could be a huge opportunity for parents
