By Cindy Wooden BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) — As Colombia strives to build a lasting peace, the country’s elders need the encouragement and insistence of young people, who believe with all their hearts that forgiveness is possible and grudges don’t have to last for decades, Pope Francis said. The pope turned …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By David Agren BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) — Pope Francis urged Colombians to put aside prejudice and pursue peace through social inclusion, fighting inequality and paying attention to the plight of the country’s most marginalized populations, such as campesinos, Afro-Colombians and indigenous peoples. Speaking alongside President Juan …

  Was your life impacted by your parents’ divorce? We want to hear from you for the October issue. We will not publish any names or identifying information, but you do need to identify yourself in your email so we know you’re real. Send your answer to one or both …

Rachel Statue Gate of Heaven Cemetery (D Tinsman Photo)
By Gail Finke Saturday is the 5th annual National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children. Sponsored nationally by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Priests for Life, and the Pro-Life Action League, the day was established so that prayer services would be said at the graves of aborted children, and at …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By David Agren BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) — Pope Francis arrived in Colombia Sept. 6 for a five-day visit to promote reconciliation in a deeply Catholic country scarred and reticent to offer forgiveness after decades of war. The pope was greeted was welcomed by Colombian President Juan …

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and 32 other organizations have signed a joint letter of support for the Conscience Protection Act of 2017. The bill, which has House and Senate versions, is intended to close loopholes that ignore the conscience rights of medical professionals on …

IMAGE: CNS photo/David Agren By David Agren VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia (CNS) — People in need in this city set in the heart of Colombia’s cattle country line up outside the Pope Francis food bank, a warehouse built with a donation from the pontiff. Father Carlos Ricardo, director of social ministries for …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Congregation of Holy Cross By David Agren WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Catholic parishes and schools located in the 70-mile-wide path of the total solar eclipse Aug. 21 plan to take part in this rare event with everything from providing parking spaces or viewing sites to offering overnight …

By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO COLOMBIA (CNS) — Flying to Colombia, with a flight plan changed to avoid Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean Sea, Pope Francis told reporters that Colombia and its neighbor, Venezuela, were in his prayers. The Sept. 6-10 visit to Colombia “is a bit …

Badin High School seniors who played a role in the "Helping Houston" effort included, from left, Sam Mathews, Allie Browning, Jordan Flaig and Abby Bond. The Badin students and community raised more than $3,000 in gift cards to send to the Clear Creek Independent School District in Houston. (Courtesy Photo)
Michelle Martin-McDulin was near tears. The Badin High School art teacher was thinking about her friends and family in Houston, Texas … about the wrath of Hurricane Harvey … and about the generous response of the Badin community she is now a part of. “The way our community responds is …