Holy Year brings more people to confessionals in St. Peter’s Basilica
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The number of people going to confession in St. Peter’s Basilica increased noticeably in the first months of Year of Mercy, but not among English-speakers, who apparently are staying away from Europe out of fear of terrorism, said the …
Throwback Thursday: Role of women in church examined in 1975
The United Nations dubbed 1975 as International Women’s Year and ever since March 8 has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. March is also Women’s History Month in the United States. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates the achievement of women throughout the church to this day, and took note of …
Students’ speaking invitation to Planned Parenthood CEO draws criticism
By Richard Szczepanowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Washington has criticized a Georgetown University student group’s invitation to the president of Planned Parenthood to speak on campus. In a statement, the archdiocese said the issue is not about free speech because “lacking in this choice by the student group …
Catholic silence on involvement in Middle East called ‘massive failure’
IMAGE: (CNS photo/Mohammed Badra, EPA By Beth Griffin NEW YORK (CNS) — “The most massive failure of the Catholic community at all levels in the past 20 years has been to address the question of our ongoing involvement in the Middle East,” according to San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy. …
Catholic priest charged with aggravated theft
UPDATE: Father Simone plead guilty to the charge on Thursday, March 10. For the full story, click HERE. A bill of information filed on the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts website today shows Father Earl Simone, a retired priest who served more than 20 years as pastor of St. Peter’s …
Preacher to Curia: Christians wounded by clerical greed, pedophilia
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano, handout By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The sexual abuse of minors and greed by members of the clergy have left Christians wounded, a Servite priest told the pope and Vatican officials during their Lenten retreat. “Pedophilia and the attachment to money are the …
Doing the heavy lifting: Women leaders share their stories at Vatican event
IMAGE: CNS photo/Garry Lotulung, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the heart of Vatican City, dozens of women from around the world gathered to share their stories of faith and activism. A few men were in attendance, but Pope Francis and top members of the Roman Curia …
Birmingham conference examines depth of black-white divide in U.S.
IMAGE: CNS photo/Mary D. Dillard, One Voice By Mary Dillard BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (CNS) — Religious leaders, civic leaders and community members came together March 3-4 for a conference on “Black & White in America: How Deep the Divide?” in Birmingham. Held at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, the conference …
Vocations View: Lent provides fuel for discernment
Treatises on discernment are many and varied throughout the great tradition of the church. There are spiritual masters who have written whole books on how to discern your vocation and many who have written books on the spiritual masters who have written about discernment. Yet, the common problem that we …
Report shows U.S. Catholic schools not doing enough for Latino Catholics
IMAGE: CNS photo/Sid Hastings, St. Louis Review By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic schools in the United States are falling short in serving the growing number of Latino Catholics, according to a new report released March 7. The Boston College report, “Catholic Schools in an Increasingly Hispanic Church,” looks …