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National & World News
Dallas bishop asks pope to convene synod to discuss clergy abuse
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jenna Teter, The Texas By David Sedeno DALLAS (CNS) — Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns has asked Pope Francis for an extraordinary synod to address issues in the latest Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis, including “abuse of power, clericalism, accountability and the understanding of transparency in the church.” …
Australian bishops, religious say they can’t violate seal of confession
IMAGE: CNS photo/Royal Commission By SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) — Australia’s Catholic bishops and religious orders, responding to recommendations from the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, accepted 98 percent of its suggestions, but said they could not accept recommendations that would violate the seal of confession. “We …
Bishop echoes pope: The poor’s plight is ‘the Gospel, pure and simple’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jim West By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Echoing what Pope Francis said during a Mass in May, the bishop who heads the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development said, “The struggle of working people, of the poor” is not first a “social or political …
Bishops of Atlanta province consider ways to lead in the face of crisis
IMAGE: CNS photo/Douglas Deas, for the Catholic Miscellany By Christina Lee Knauss CHARLESTON, S.C. (CNS) — Priests and bishops from the Province of Atlanta recently spent time considering the abuse crisis in the church, how to respond to it and how to best carry on in serving the faithful. The …
Faithful uphold the quiet tradition of lighting candles in churches
IMAGE: CNS photo/Emily Benson, The Evangelist By Emily Benson WESTMERE, N.Y. (CNS) — Linda Brown approached the candle stand at her parish, Christ the King in Westmere. She dropped a donation in the collection box and lit two candles. Her husband, Ed, stood beside her as she bowed her head …
Pope serene despite ‘pain’ over archbishop’s testimony, cardinal says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While recent accusations by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano have created tension in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is approaching the situation calmly, the Vatican secretary of state said. In an interview posted Aug. 30 by “Vatican Insider,” …
Oregon church activities curtailed by smoke from wildfires
IMAGE: CNS photo/DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company, handout via Reuters By Ed Langlois PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — Catholic churches and homes in southern Oregon are safe so far amid wildfires, but persistent smoke has suppressed activities — and spirits. “It is horrible. It is absolutely grim,” said Ann Brophy, pastoral associate …
Is there truth in Archbishop Vigano’s text and how are Catholics to know?
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics in the pews and even priests in the Vatican are confused about the long document Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano published claiming Pope Francis turned a blind eye to information he had about the sexual misconduct of now-Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick. Pope Francis’ …
Vocations in Ireland have dwindled due to abuse scandal, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the faith of Catholics in Ireland is strong, the scandal of abuse and cover-up by church leaders has caused a decline in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Pope Francis said. During his weekly general …
Catholic psychologist, abuse survivor, offers advice for families
IMAGE: CNS photo/Clodagh Kilcoyne, Reuters By Zita Ballinger Fletcher WASHINGTON (CNS) — After recent reports describing clergy sex abuse, Paul Peloquin, a Catholic clinical psychologist and a clergy abuse survivor, shared advice for victims and their families. “For Catholics who have been abused by a priest or clergy, it’s doubly …