By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Many of the Catholic leaders attending the July 1-4 gathering in Orlando, Florida, have been to enough retreats or conferences over the years to know that the real challenge comes when they try to put what they heard into practice. Inspired and a little …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Clemens Bilan, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Agencies of the U.S. and European Catholic bishops have called for all nations to develop a plan to eliminate nuclear weapons from their military arsenals. A joint declaration released July 6 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Museums By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — What do the Sistine Chapel, a used car with 186,000 miles on the odometer and a statue of Our Lady of Lujan made out of metal from an abandoned factory have in common? Besides being found in the Vatican …

IMAGE: CNS/John Thavis By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who spent 22 years as director of the Vatican press office, died July 5 at age 80. No details were available immediately, but his death was announced in a tweet by the current director of the Vatican press office, Greg …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Carol Zimmermann ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — From July 1-4 the main floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando was transformed into a huge parish hall with places for worship, prayer, discussion, and even coffee and doughnuts during the “Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy …

By Dennis Sadowski ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — For some it was about keeping young people in the church. Others wanted to hear about diocesan ministries in another locale and perhaps bring an idea home. A few more were glad they could be heard by a bishop or two. Whatever their …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While there had been problems and complaints in the past, the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital was working resolve them, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, who oversees the hospital. In responding to an investigative …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and turned them into a feast for thousands, offering the church an example of faith in action, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston said in sending 3,500 delegates home from the “Convocation …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Carol Zimmermann ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Delegates at the “Convocation of Catholic Leaders. The Joy of the Gospel in America” have their work cut out for them but they are equipped to do it, said speakers at the final plenary session July 4. “The saints …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Carol Zimmermann ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — In the July 3 closing Mass for the Fortnight for Freedom, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori called on Catholics to thank God for the gift of freedom and to pray that they “use this gift well and wisely.” “It’s …