VATICAN CITY (CNS) — 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. In creating this harmony, the Holy Spirit “makes the church grow by helping it go beyond human limits, sins and scandal,” the
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a world of conflict and division and a culture of insult, people need to live filled with the Holy Spirit, who is the only one capable of bringing harmony and unity to diversity, Pope Francis said. “Those who live by the Spirit … bring peace where there is discord, concord
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholic schools must help parents teach young people that biological sex and gender are naturally fixed at birth and part of God’s plan for creation, said the Congregation for Catholic Education. In a document published June 10, the congregation said the Catholic Church and those proposing a looser definition of gender
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — By virtue of their baptism, all Catholics are called to be missionaries, sharing the good news of salvation in Jesus by their actions and their words, Pope Francis said. “The importance of renewing the church’s missionary commitment and giving fresh evangelical impulse to her work of preaching and bringing to the
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CNS) — Springfield Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki issued a decree June 6 stating that Catholic lawmakers in the Illinois Legislature “who promoted or voted for extreme abortion legislation” cannot receive Communion in churches in his diocese. He specifically named House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, “due to their leadership roles
PITTSBURGH (CNS) — Almost every American has a story to tell about how their ancestors came to this country. It’s often a tear-stained tale of hardship, desperation and sacrifice. Similar scenarios are playing out today along the U.S.-Mexico border and other entry points across the land. As with the harrowing stories of generations ago, many
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Too often when Catholics try to talk to young people about vocational discernment, “it’s as if we were speaking Esperanto to them, because they don’t understand a thing,” Pope Francis said. Bishops, pastors, religious and other adults must learn to speak young people’s language and must avoid exercising undue pressure on
WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Pascal Siakam was in his young teens attending a minor seminary in Cameroon — and mostly playing soccer in his free time — he likely never imagined he’d be playing in the NBA Finals. Studying for the priesthood, it turned out, was more of his father’s idea, and not a personal
MIERCUREA CIUC, Romania (CNS) — At a Marian shrine in the heart of Transylvania, Pope Francis called on Romania’s Catholics to leave resentments behind and to embark on a journey of unity. Celebrating Mass June 1 at the Sumuleu Ciuc shrine, an important place of pilgrimage for Romanians and for Catholics from across the border
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — A Filipino teenager who died could be on his way to sainthood after the Vatican declared him a Servant of God, the first step in the process toward sainthood. The Congregation for Saints’ Causes gave the Diocese of Cubao, Philippines, the green light to look into the life of Darwin Ramos
