By Adelaide Mena New York City, N.Y., Sep 11, 2018: On the clear, sunny morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Fr. Kevin Madigan heard an explosion overhead. He grabbed oils for anointing, ran out the door of St. Peter’s parish in New York City, and wandered towards the center of the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Members of Pope Francis’ international Council of Cardinals expressed “full solidarity” with him in the midst of questions about his handling of the clerical sexual abuse scandal and said the Vatican is planning a response to allegations made against …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Favio Frustaci, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Fear often causes people to remain silent in the face of other’s suffering and marginalize the sick and those most in need, Pope Francis said. Instead of being viewed as “an occasion to manifest care and solidarity,” …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Responding quickly and appropriately to the problem of abuse must be a priority for the Catholic Church, said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. “Recent events in the church have …

By Robert Duncan and Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A top official from the Vatican Secretariat of State acknowledged allegations made by a New York priest in 2000 concerning Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, according to a letter obtained by Catholic News Service. Father Boniface Ramsey, pastor of St. …

By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The New York State Office of the Attorney General is the latest to announce that it is launching an investigation of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic Church clergy, and at least two of the state’s eight dioceses confirmed receiving subpoenas seeking access to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Carter Habitat for Humanity By Catherine M. Odell SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNS) — Although stormy skies often interrupted the hammering and sent volunteers ducking for tents, a Habitat for Humanity event in Indiana pulled together almost 2,000 volunteers, generous contributions, celebrities and faith groups. Former U.S. President …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Pete Sheehan YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNS) — On his first day back at work Sept. 4, Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown spoke happily of his return, but he also addressed the somber subject of the sex abuse crisis now in the news. In April, he …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Seng Mai, EPA By MANDALAY, Myanmar (CNS) — Myanmar’s military continues to persecute ethnic Kachin, the predominant Christian group in a conflict-torn part of the country, as well as Rohingya Muslims, said Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Myanmar. Speaking Sept. 1 at a peace forum in South …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit By Jonathan Liedl MINNEAPOLIS (CNS) — Lino Rulli doesn’t have any children of his own. Married two years ago, the 46-year-old and his wife, Jill, are hoping that changes soon. But the Minnesota native and Catholic media personality is already the pater familias …