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IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Carol Zimmermann BALTIMORE (CNS) — U.S. Catholic bishops acknowledged that Catholic families and married couples need more support from the church at large and hope to offer it by giving parishes plenty of resources through a pastoral plan for marriage and family life. A proposal …

By Simon Caldwell MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The terms “mother” and “father” will be banned from Catholic schools’ admissions forms in England and Wales following a complaint the terms discriminated against gay and stepparents. The Office of the Schools Adjudicator, which settles disputes on behalf of the government, upheld the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Felipe Trueba, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — During his visit to Chile and Peru, Pope Francis will honor the country’s religious roots and underline the plight of indigenous men and women. The Vatican said Pope Francis will be in Chile Jan. 15-18, visiting the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Rhina Guidos BALTIMORE (CNS) — Though the Catholic Church has responded to racism for many years, some leaders and church institutions have at times been part of the problem, said a bishop who is heading a committee against racism. Bishop George V. Murry, speaking to …

By Carol Zimmermann BALTIMORE (CNS) — Young people in the church want to be heard and be invited to be a part of church leadership, according to a report by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in preparation for next year’s Synod of Bishops on youth. They are often at …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski BALTIMORE (CNS) — Acknowledging wide divisions in the country over issues such as health care, immigration reform, taxes and abortion, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for civility to return to the public debate. Contemporary challenges are great, but …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Marriage and family life are blessings for individuals and for society, but both are filled with difficult choices that Catholic couples must be helped to face prayerfully and in the light of their consciences, Pope Francis said. Unfortunately, too …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Global problems associated with climate change demand global cooperation, Pope Francis told a group of heads of state from the Pacific Islands. The planet Earth, when viewed from space, is a world without borders, he said, and “it reminds us of the need …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The role of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other bishops’ conferences around the world is “catholic” — working together to promote the church’s mission, but also “to support peacebuilding and human development throughout the world,” said Cardinal Pietro …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of the Colombian Navy By Manuel Rueda BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) — Pope Francis sent a handwritten letter to a Colombian soldier who lost his sight during the country’s civil war. The pope met Edwin Restrepo, a retired marine, during his September visit to Colombia. On Nov. 9, …