Faith leaders, senators say U.S. must not ‘pause’ refugee resettlement
IMAGE: CNS photo/David Ryder, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — A coalition of religious leaders joined three U.S. senators on Capitol Hill Dec. 8 to say “enough is enough” to those who want to bar Muslim refugees from Syria and other Middle East trouble spots from the U.S. after terrorist attacks …
Cincinnati Bengals, SVDP team up to give 50 kids Christmas joy
The Cincinnati Bengals are 10-2 and lead the AFC North. While the team is in the midst of an exciting season, five players took time Dec. 7 to make sure a group of 50 children would have a happy Christmas season. Andrew Whitworth, , Rey Maualuga, Andre Smith and Wallace Gilberry took the children …
Vatican continues steps to fight serious financial crime, agency says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Giancarlo Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Holy See and Vatican City State have continued to strengthen their institutional, legal and operational frameworks for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, an international monitoring organization said. “Moneyval” — the Council of …
Pope Francis: The church needs this Holy Year of Mercy
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church needs the extraordinary Holy Year to become an effective witness of God’s divine mercy, Pope Francis said. “The jubilee is a favorable time for all of us, so that in contemplating divine mercy, which surpasses every …
Archbishop Schnurr will open ‘Door of Mercy’ Sunday
The Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati, will open the Door of Mercy at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati during the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Dec. 13. That ceremony will mark the official beginning of the Archdiocesan celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee …
Group wants meeting with Kerry before State Dept. genocide findings
IMAGE: CNS photo/Solan Kolli, EPA By WASHINGTON (CNS) — A group of 30 Christian leaders, including Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, has asked for a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry in advance of the State Department’s declaration of genocides taking place around the world. The group believes …
Cardinal tells world leaders ‘great deal is at stake’ in climate talks
By James Martone PARIS (CNS) — A senior Vatican official urged a roomful of world leaders “to take action” and work in a spirit of solidarity to come up with an accord to combat global warming before it is too late. “A great deal is at stake for every country. …
Holy Year is a reminder to put mercy before judgment, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On a cloudy, damp morning, Pope Francis’ voice echoed in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Open the gates of justice.” With five strong thrusts, the pope pushed open the Holy Door, a symbol of God’s justice, which he said …
Open wide the Holy Doors: Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy begins Dec. 8
A Holy Year begins with the opening of a Holy Door. Since the 15th Century, a “Holy Door” has been set aside for the celebration of Jubilee Years. The solemn ritual opening of the Holy Door evokes for Catholics the passageway from sin to grace, and calls us to live …
Judge’s ruling frozen embryos must be destroyed called ‘tragic case’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Waltraud Grubitzsch, EPA By Liz O’Connor LEVITTOWN, Pa. (CNS) — A California state judge’s ruling that a now-divorced couple’s five frozen embryos must be destroyed is an example of doing something that technology allows without considering all its aspects, according to medical ethicists. Christopher White, director of research …