By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) — The latest version of a Republican measure in the Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act must be amended to protect poor and vulnerable Americans, said the chairmen of four U.S. bishops’ committees. “As you consider the Graham-Cassidy legislation as a possible replacement for …

By Maria Wiering ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Retired Archbishop Harry J. Flynn was rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, when he got a call in 1979 from an old friend from the seminary, asking if he could visit for a week. That friend was Father Stanley …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating the feast of St. Matthew, the anniversary of the day when as a 17-year-old he said he was overwhelmed by God’s mercy, Pope Francis said it was interesting how many Catholics today seem to be scandalized when God shows mercy to someone. …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The shouts of joy and cries of despair that greeted Pope Francis’ recent changes to canon law regarding liturgical texts appear to be exaggerated. The changes can be read as part of Pope Francis’ efforts to promote a “healthy decentralization” …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has endorsed an approach of “zero tolerance” toward all members of the church guilty of sexually abusing minors or vulnerable adults. Having listened to abuse survivors and having made what he described as a mistake in approving a more lenient set …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Francisco Guasco, Reuters By MEXICO CITY (CNS) — A Catholic bishop and a Caritas worker in Mexico said the situation was extremely serious after the Sept. 19 earthquake, and much aid would be needed. “The situation is complicated, because the first earthquake (Sept. 7) had already affected thousands …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Anamaria Scaperlanda Biddick By Anamaria Scaperlanda Biddick OKARCHE, Okla. (CNS) — Tom Rother and his wife of 52 years, Marti, live on the farm where he grew up, less than an hour’s drive from their five children and 15 grandchildren. Though the farm, located three miles from the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of Caritas Stuttgart By Dale Gavlak STUTTGART, Germany (CNS) — A young African mother calls for help to the Caritas staffer at the refugee dormitory as her toddler quickly scurries down the hallway, giggling. Unaware, Syrian and Iraqi refugees huddle outside under an awning, busy texting, as …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlos Jasso, Reuters By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Mexican church leaders offered prayers and urged generosity after an earthquake struck the national capital and its environs, claiming more than 240 lives — including at least 20 children trapped in a collapsed school. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake …

IMAGE: REUTERS By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As search and rescue operations continued in central Mexico, where more than 200 people died after a strong earthquake Sept. 19, Pope Francis offered his prayers for the victims. “May our mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe, with great tenderness be near the beloved …