Renew efforts to build peace, help refugees, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Nikos Arvantidis, pool via EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Assist and accompany refugees while working to build peace in the world, Pope Francis urged on the eve of World Refugee Day. “Refugees are people like everyone, but war took away their home, work, relatives and …
Pope offers prayers as pan-Orthodox council opens on Crete
IMAGE: CNS/Sean Hawkey By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church opened with only 10 of the 14 Orthodox churches represented, Pope Francis offered his prayers. After reciting the Angelus prayer June 19, the pope had thousands of visitors in St. …
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 …
New Catholics Come Home commercials, website debuting to Dayton audience
Catholics Come Home has announced its upcoming campaign to invite Millennial Catholics home to the Church, through new television commercials and an interactive website, called CatholicsComeHome.com. The new website and ads are making their debut in the Dayton, Ohio market, though they will be used around the country. The ads and website are …
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 …
Spring Sports Report: Alter, Elder brought home volleyball titles
The following is a post-season recap of spring sports results for Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. A dynasty is underway. Archbishop Alter High School won its third consecutive state title May 28 at the Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association State Championships at Capital University. Alter won …
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 …