Vatican following case of Chinese Bishop Ma, spokesman says
IMAGE: CNS/UCAnews By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican said it has had no direct contact with Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai, who apparently wrote a blog post in June that gave many people the impression he had recanted an earlier decision to abandon the Chinese …
SVDP warehouse roof collapses in wake of storm [Video]

A warehouse owned by St. Vincent de Paul suffered a partial roof collapse in the wake of severe storms that rolled through Cincinnati early Thursday morning. See video and more photos below The building was empty at the time of the roof collapse, and no one was hurt. Jim Wenstrup, logistics …
Theology of the Body in schools more than God-based sex ed

A popular misunderstanding holds that “Theology of the Body” programs in Catholic schools represents little more than sex education with a religious gloss. Father Thomas Wray, director of the archdiocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, is happy to dispel that notion. “Theology of the Body is a view of the …
Throwback Thursday: Auxiliary bishop’s resignation leads to new archbishop

On June 20, 2007, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati Carl K. Moeddel‘s resignation for health reasons was accepted by the Vatican. Changes in the episcopacy are major events in the history of a diocese, and this change is the focus of today’s Throwback Thursday. Bishop Moeddel’s resignation, which was significant by itself, is …
Stories of persecution suffered by religious led Marist brother to vocation
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Tyler Orsburn BROWNSVILLE, Texas (CNS) — It was the stories of how his teachers, Mexican-born religious brothers, had suffered persecution that steered Marist Brother Paul Phillipp of south Texas, now 92, to his religious vocation. Reared on a farm some 25 miles west of Brownsville, …
HHS says California can require that all health plans cover elective abortions
By WASHINGTON (CNS) — A federal agency has determined that California can continue to demand that all health plans under the jurisdiction of the state’s Department of Managed Health Care — “even those purchased by churches and other religious organizations” — cover elective abortions for any reason. The coverage includes …
Unity, honor and hope on pope’s agenda for Armenia
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he would travel to Armenia June 24-26 to promote closer bonds with the Armenian Orthodox church, honor the Armenian people’s steadfast faith in the face of tragedy and support them in their efforts to build a peaceful future. In a …
Before Brexit vote, liturgy highlights plight of refugees
IMAGE: CNS photo/Graham Lacdao, Chapter of St Paul’s By Dale Gavlak LONDON (CNS) — As Europe held its breath on whether Britain would vote to remain or exit the European Union, the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, reported that numbers fleeing war and persecution have soared four times over the past …
Benedict shows core of priesthood is being ‘immersed in God,’ pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to retire and live a life fully dedicated to prayer represents one of the most important lessons he gives the world’s priests, Pope Francis said. In retirement, Pope Benedict shows “in an even …
Christians don’t exclude, they welcome, pope says at general audience
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Flanked by a group of refugees, Pope Francis appealed to Christians to care for and welcome those whom society often excludes. “Today I’m accompanied by these young men. Many people think they would have been better off if they …