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National & World News
Martyrs are witnesses of faith, not just victims of genocide, pope says
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Using the word “genocide” to describe the persecution of Christians in the Middle East risks downplaying the courage and witness of those who boldly profess faith in Jesus Christ even in the face of death, Pope Francis said. “I want to say clearly …
Too many couples do not understand marriage is for life, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Because most people today do not understand that sacramental marriage really is a bond that binds them to each other for life, many marriages today can be considered invalid, Pope Francis said. Raising a point he has raised before, and one also …
U.S. embassy, parish in Rome gather to pray for Orlando victims
By Paul Haring ROME (CNS) — Forty-nine votive candles burned in front of the altar in a Rome church as people gathered to pray for the victims of the massacre June 12 in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub. The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and Santa Susanna parish, the parish …
Approach families with respect because God is at work, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Like Moses before the burning bush, those talking about the real-life situations of families must take off their sandals because they are standing on holy ground, Pope Francis said. The pastoral care of families requires “a climate of respect capable of helping …
Pope thanks circus performers for bringing joy to often dark world
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting with acrobats, clowns, carnival workers, street performers, musicians and magicians, Pope Francis thanked the artists for bringing beauty and joy to an often dark, sad world. “You cannot imagine what good you do, the good you sow,” he said …
Special forces: Graduates head home armed with skills to fight abuse
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church has launched a new kind of “special forces” in the fight against child abuse. Nineteen men and women from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas became the first graduates awarded special certification in the safeguarding of minors — an initiative …
Granite and clay: Creativity, patience shape sculptor for priesthood
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) — In the small dormitory room that smelled of moist modelling clay, dozens of statues of a laughing Jesus lined wooden shelves against a wall. The small plaster statuettes showed the Lord reclining on the ground against a rock, his eyes pinched …
We must recognize dignity of all, Orlando bishop says at prayer vigil
IMAGE: CNS photo/Andrea Navarro, Florida Catholic By Christine Young and Teresa Peterson ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — In Orlando and major cities around the nation and the world, people gathered June 13 to pay tribute to those killed and injured in the shooting rampage in Orlando the previous day. About 700 …
Florida Catholic Charities workers console, support victims’ families
By Christine Young and Teresa Peterson ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Since the worst shooting attack in America occurred June 12, Catholic Charities of Central Florida has been working in the background to help victims, survivors and family members in whatever way possible. Just hours after the shooting at a gay …
‘Laudato Si” at one year: Catholics inspired to act on climate change
IMAGE: CNS photo/Dan Peled, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Thinking green is not easy. Nor is it always cheap. But for St. Michael Parish in Poway, California, north of San Diego, parishioners are already seeing the benefits — spiritual, financial and environmental — of a $1.3 million investment …