U.S. Catholic leaders visiting Iraq challenged to go home, work for peace
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey By Paul Jeffrey IRBIL, Iraq (CNS) — A delegation of U.S. Catholic leaders visiting northern Iraq was challenged to go home and work for peace in the troubled region. “You have come to listen to your brothers and sisters in Iraq who are suffering. The situation …
Cupich: Pope has ‘intuition about where people live their actual lives’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World By Michelle Martin CHICAGO (CNS) — Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago welcomed the release of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), saying the document might be surprising to some for its insistence on the need for mercy and …
‘Witch hunts’ rooted in putting laws above God’s truth, pope says
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A heart that clings to the letter of the law is closed to the Holy Spirit and God’s truth, Pope Francis said at morning Mass. Such hardened hearts often were behind the persecution of innocent men and women seeking to follow God’s will, …
Pope urges kidnappers to release captives, including Salesian in Yemen
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of Salesians By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis appealed for the release of all people being held captive in the world’s battle zones, including Salesian Father Thomas Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in Yemen. “I renew my appeal for the liberation of all people kidnapped …
Theology of the Body curriculum to be introduced at archdiocesan schools
Students in Lisa Fletcher’s seventh and eighth grade religion classes at St. Margaret of York School in Loveland earn the grades, but their parents get an education, too. The topics range from learning about Jesus as a human being, to what should you do if someone sexts you. The class …
Observers say apostolic exhortation can help church model mercy to families
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on love and the family invites the church to see the daily struggles of families as an opportunity to encounter people the way Jesus encountered people with mercy throughout his life, Catholic observers said. Because of …
Cardinal: Document on family develops doctrine, doesn’t change it
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ document on the family reflects an “organic development” of church teaching and doctrine, said Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, theologian and participant in both synods that dealt with the topic. “There are true innovations, but no break” in tradition, …
A little bit country: Pope looks at the nitty-gritty of family life
IMAGE: CNS photo/Sid Hastings By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ hymn to love and family life is more like a country song than a Disney tune. In “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ postsynodal apostolic exhortation on the family, there is passion and devotion, but …
Amoris Laetitia: Resources for understanding Pope Francis’ exhortation
Newspapers, television and radio stations as well as blogs across the web are talking about Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). The latest apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis is his second since becoming pope in 2013, following Evangelli Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel) and encyclicals Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith) and …
Pope Francis: Children are always gifts, even in tough circumstances
Pope Francis’ latest writings on the family include a strong affirmation of the need to welcome children even in difficult circumstances. He praises large families and adopted families, rejects abortion as “horrendous,” reflects on the errors of “gender ideology,” and advises pastoral care for people with same-sex attraction. “Each child …
