WASHINGTON (CNS) — A panel discussion last year on the challenges faced by refugees didn’t sit well with a freshman at the Jesuit-run College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. “The stories that I heard reminded me that when we picture refugees, we falsely imagine a mass of people hoping to hoard into our
DUPONT, Wash. (CNS) — Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, offered prayers for all affected by the Dec. 18 derailment of an Amtrak train that had just come from the Tacoma station and was headed to Portland. “Our community of faith is praying for the victims and families
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton and St. John Paul II’s mentor, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski. The pope approved the decrees recognizing their heroic virtues during an audience Dec. 18 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The pope also recognized the
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Only relics that have been certified as authentic can be exposed for veneration by the faithful, said a new Vatican instruction. Published Dec. 16 in Italian by the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, the instruction clarifies and details the canonical procedures to be followed by local bishops in an effort to verify
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People need factual and trustworthy news that avoids sensationalism and whipping up heated reactions, Pope Francis said. It is important the press not be “constantly at the mercy of easy slogans or improvised information campaigns, which show the intention of manipulating reality, opinions and people themselves, often creating worthless ‘media dust
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis plans to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of St. Pio of Pietrelcina and the 100th anniversary of Padre Pio receiving the stigmata by visiting the famed Italian saint’s hometown and the pediatric oncology ward of the hospital he founded. Pope Francis will travel to Pietrelcina and San
NEW YORK (CNS) — More than a few parents have, no doubt, had occasion to be alarmed at how easily –- and how often — kids become absorbed by gadgetry these days. Perhaps they can take comfort in the fact that such preoccupation is nothing compared to what transpires in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — A new law deepening Mexico’s dependence on soldiers for public security purposes has provoked alarm from some clergy and Catholic human rights organizations, who warn the use of the armed forces has failed to calm the country and new provisions could provide a pretense for cracking down on peaceful protests. Mexico’s
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians must be strong and let go of all the bitterness and negativity that prevent them from experiencing God’s consolation and joy, Pope Francis said. “So many times, we cling to what’s negative, we hold on to the wound of sin inside of us, and many times, the preference is to
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just like a plant needs sun and nourishment to survive, every Christian needs the light of Sunday and the sustenance of the Eucharist to truly live, Pope Francis said. “How can we carry out the Gospel without drawing the energy needed to do it, one Sunday after another, from the limitless
