A jealous heart is an ugly, tormented heart, pope says at morning Mass
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jealousy and envy are ugly sins that grow like weeds in one’s heart, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. A heart that is envious is not only tormented, but can even “lead one to kill,” the pope said Jan. 21 during …
Death row jubilee: Sister Prejean joins event for pilgrimage workers
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Professional pilgrimage planners and those who regularly receive or accompany pilgrims set off on their own Year of Mercy pilgrimage in late January. Most had experience working with pilgrims to Lourdes, Fatima, the Vatican and World Youth Days. But one …
Women may now have their feet washed at Holy Thursday Mass, Pope says

CNA/EWTN News Pope Francis has changed the rules for the Church’s traditional foot-washing ceremony on Holy Thursday, issuing a decree allowing women to participate in what has until now been a ritual officially open only to men. In a letter addressed to Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for …
Bus trips to March for Life cancelled but local activities abound

A major snow storm is expected to dump more than a foot of snow in the Washington D.C. area and in several places along the route many busses would take while returning to the region from the nation’s capital. As a result, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Dioceses of Covington have …
Chicago’s bitter cold doesn’t stop march against ‘culture of death’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World By Joyce Duriga CHICAGO (CNS) — Dana Mentgen donned six layers of clothing and made the trek downtown to Chicago’s Federal Plaza Jan. 17 because he felt it was important to witness for life against the “culture of death.” “I think the majority …
Don’t be afraid to show concern, fight poverty, pope tells global leaders
IMAGE: CNS photo/Adam Warzawa, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Don’t be afraid of acting fairly and compassionately toward the poor, Pope Francis said in a written message to global business leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. And do not let the sweeping innovations in …
No one is excluded from the mercy of God, pope says at audience
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians are called to work together in order to be a visible sign that God’s mercy excludes no one, Pope Francis said during his general audience Jan. 20. The pope reflected on the theme of …
Anglican leaders sanction Episcopalians over same-sex marriage

MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — Because of the U.S. Episcopal Church’s moves to unilaterally change canon law to allow same-sex marriage, Anglican leaders voted to suspend Episcopalians from positions representing the Anglican Communion and from participating in some Anglican bodies. Primates meeting in Canterbury, England, said that for three years, members …
Q&A: How are priests trained to hear confessions?

Dear Father: : As we begin this Year of Mercy, I began to wonder about confession. How are priests trained to hear confessions? Dear Reader: The training of priests to hear confessions has changed over the centuries. Prior to the Council of Trent (1545-1563), priests were trained largely through an …
With new initiative, Knights aim to work more closely with parishes
IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By Liz O’Connor LEVITTOWN, Pa. (CNS) — The Knights of Columbus has announced an initiative designed to bring the Knights into closer cooperation with parishes. Changes were noted in an address delivered by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in November to a San Antonio meeting …