IMAGE: CNS photo/Paulo Carrico, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Diocese of Coimbra concluded its phase of the sainthood cause of Carmelite Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three children who saw Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. Bishop Virgilio Antunes of Coimbra formally closed …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The provisions of “Amoris Laetitia” allow people in irregular marriage situations access to the sacraments only if they recognize their situation is sinful and desire to change it, according to the cardinal who heads the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. …

By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Talk of President Donald Trump possibly signing an executive order on religious freedom — which drew both criticism and praise — has been replaced with discussion about what happened to it and what a final version, if there is one, will look like. A …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy NCEA By Valerie Schmalz SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) — The Trump administration’s apparent endorsement of parental school choice could present a “huge opportunity” for Catholic school parents, the president of the National Catholic Educational Association told a group of Catholic high school teachers in San Francisco. “This could …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The sexual abuse of children by those who have vowed to serve Christ and the church is a horrendous monstrosity that represents “a diabolical sacrifice” of innocent, defenseless lives, Pope Francis said. The church, which must protect the weakest, has a duty “to …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Obeying the true spirit of the commandments and not just a literal interpretation of them is what makes Christians become authentic witnesses, Pope Francis said. As seen through Mary’s example, following the commandments “is possible with the grace of the Holy Spirit …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Without commenting on the authenticity of alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Pope Francis has appointed a Polish archbishop to study the pastoral needs of the townspeople and the thousands of pilgrims who flock to the town each year. The …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — A massive donation of Ethiopian religious manuscripts to The Catholic University of America in Washington makes the school one of the largest holders of such texts outside Ethiopia. The value of the donation, by Gerald and Barbara Weiner of Chicago, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Maria Dominguez By Nancy Wiechec FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (CNS) — An immigrant teacher and White House honoree fears President Donald Trump is undermining the community she has fought to lift up. “It’s only been two, three weeks since he was sworn in and I can see the fear …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Mohammed Badra, EPA By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Christians and all people in the Middle East need the solidarity of the U.S. Catholic Church, said the chairmen of three committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the head of the Catholic Relief Services board. “A concern for …