By Ann Schneible Aid to the Church in Need (via Catholic News Agency) The Christian message can’t be shaken by a national vote, but Ireland’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage is forcing Catholic leaders to rethink how they have been keeping the faith alive among the nation’s young people. “This …

By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News As Ireland goes to the polls to vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage, one Church official warns that the new law could bring yet-unforeseen consequences for future generations. “The importance of the vote today cannot be underestimated,” said Msgr. John Kennedy, an official of …

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Parents must not exclude themselves from their children’s lives and, despite what some “experts” may say, they must take an active role in their children’s education, said Pope Francis during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square May 20. “It’s time …

CNA/EWTN News Last week, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles told scholars at the Dorothy Day Conference at St. Francis University that the social activist was not converted by ideology, but by love. “It was not the teachings of the Church that convinced her to leave the past behind …

By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News VATICAN CITY — In his daily homily on Friday Pope Francis said that Christian communities become “sick” when they live in fear and fail to be joyful – even when times are difficult. “When the Church is fearful and when the Church does not receive the …

By Mary Rezac CNA/EWTN News Nearly 1,000 United States priests made their own a petition to the fathers of the upcoming Synod, originally made public and signed by nearly 500 English priests. The statement’s wording is exactly that of the English version, and urges the fathers of the upcoming Ordinary Synod …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Vatican and Palestinian representatives have finalized the text of a formal agreement recognizing freedom of religion in the “State of Palestine” and outlining the rights and obligations of the Catholic Church, its agencies and its personnel in the territory.

By Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput May 13 urged prayers for all affected by the Amtrak train derailment in the city’s Port Richmond neighborhood that left at least six people dead and injured more than 200 others. “I urge all people of goodwill to join …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — The closer two people are to each other, the more care is required in respecting the other’s freedom and feelings, Pope Francis said. Even Jesus knocks at the door of a person’s heart awaiting permission to enter, he said May 13 …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors received temporary approval of its first set of statutes. U.S. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston — one of the pope’s top cardinal advisers and president of the pontifical commission — had submitted …