WASHINGTON (CNS) — The church’s teaching on artificial contraception and the role of procreation in marriage isn’t about difficult-to-follow rules in the eyes of Alice Heinzen, a veteran of marriage and family ministry in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Heinzen told Catholic News Service, the long-held teaching found in Blessed Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical,
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Behind the indifference toward human life lies a contagious illness that blinds people to the lives, challenges and struggles of others, Pope Francis said. Like the mythical figure Narcissus, people risk becoming infected by a “contagious spiritual virus” that turns them into “mirrored men and women who only see themselves and
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God always loves and generously gives first before asking for fidelity to his commandments — which are the words of a loving father showing people the right way to live, Pope Francis said. “Christian life is above all the grateful response to a generous father,” not a forced, joyless compliance to
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (CNS) — International Catholic speaker Hudson Byblow kicked off his presentation at the National Catholic Singles Conference in Bloomington with a little Star Wars Jedi wit. He told the story of a woman who had been promised a Toyota at her job. Byblow showed on a big screen what she really got —
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling torture a “mortal sin,” Pope Francis called on Christians to help victims of this crime against human rights. Marking the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture June 26, the pope tweeted: “Torture is a mortal sin! Christian communities must commit themselves to helping victims of torture.”
GENEVA (CNS) — At the end of a day dedicated to celebrating 70 years of an ecumenical fellowship forged by the World Council of Churches, Pope Francis turned to the region’s Catholics, reminding them of what lies at the heart of the faith. The Lord’s Prayer “offers us a road map for the spiritual life”
GENEVA (CNS) — Not only God, but today’s broken, divided world is begging for unity among Christians, Pope Francis said on an ecumenical pilgrimage to Geneva. “Our differences must not be excuses,” he said, because as Christ’s disciples, Christians can still pray together, evangelize and serve others. On his 23rd apostolic journey abroad June 21,
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Bishops and some politicians reacted negatively after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte questioned the logic of the Bible creation story and called God “stupid.” Ucanews.com reported that, speaking during a technology summit in the southern city of Davao June 22, Duterte questioned how Adam and Eve brought about “original sin.” “Adam ate
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Ten Commandments given by God are meant to protect his children from self-destruction; they are not harsh rules meant to enslave and oppress, Pope Francis said. Since the days of Adam and Eve, the devil has sought to deceive people into believing that the rules set forth by God are
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CNS) — A new document focused on guiding the American church in addressing the pastoral needs of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during their annual spring assembly. Adopted 187-2 with two abstentions, “Encountering Christ in Harmony” is described as a “pastoral response” meant to provide
