Jesus is free, salvation cannot be bought, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pilgrims must beware of people who seek to use the Jubilee Year to profit off of them since salvation is a gift that cannot be bought, Pope Francis said. “Be careful! Beware of someone who is sly or sneaky …
Experts praise Vatican’s finance laws, but call for clampdown on crime
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — European experts on preventing financial crimes praised the Vatican for significant steps in establishing laws and procedures in line with international protocols, but called for “real results” in cracking down on infractions and prosecuting offenses. Moneyval — the Council of Europe’s Committee of …
Group helps memorialize children lost through miscarriage, stillbirths

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — When Kara Palladino lost a child through miscarriage about a year ago, she knew she wanted to bury the baby in a way that honored her Catholic faith. But after calling a long list of funeral homes and cemeteries, she couldn’t find any with a plan …
Pope appoints priest of Diocese of Superior to be bishop of diocese
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Father James P. Powers, a priest of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, and currently its administrator, to be bishop of the diocese. The appointment was announced Dec. 15 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the U.S. A native of …
Eight Admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders at seminary

Eight men were accepted by Archbishop of Cincinnati Dennis M. Schnurr as candidates for Holy Orders in a ceremony at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary Dec. 8. The men publically declared their commitment to a program of formation for service to God and to the Catholic Church as ordained ministers on …
Science and faith: Bridging the gap through education
IMAGE: CNS By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Creationism vs. evolution, scientific method vs. ethics, science vs. faith, the church’s censure and rehabilitation of Galileo Galilei. For centuries, there have been countless confusion and arguments pitting science against faith as if they were two opposing forces. In the …
In Peace Day message, pope addresses death penalty, debt, migrants
IMAGE: CNS photo/Arshad Arbab, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called for abolishing the death penalty worldwide, lifting the burden of debt on poor nations, global aid policies that respect life and revamped laws that welcome and integrate migrants. He urged individuals, communities and nations to …
Archbishop Schnurr opens Holy Door, urges faithful to accept the challenge of mercy

On Sunday, Dec. 13 Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr opened the Holy Door at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, beginning the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. More then 400 people were present for the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass which began with “Rite of the Opening …
Pope to visit marginalized communities in Mexico in February
IMAGE: CNS photo/Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will visit some of the most marginalized communities in Mexico and seek to bring hope to a country deeply suffering from crime, corruption and inequality when he visits in February. The Vatican announced Dec. 12 details about the …
Vatican releases instruction on identity, mission of religious brothers
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jim West By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To help appreciate and better promote the vocation of religious brothers, the Vatican released a 50-page reflection on the importance of their life and mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies …