Rediscover ‘original beauty’ of Christmas music with Scythian’s new ‘Christmas Out at Sea’

By Peter Pinedo Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 20, 2023 / 08:00 am Scythian, an Irish folk band headlined by two Catholic brothers, wants to help you “rediscover the original beauty” of Christmas music through their new album, “Christmas Out at Sea.” Full of energetic carols that reach moments of striking beauty …
Biden-Harris to prioritize abortion stance for reelection campaign

By Joe Bukuras CNA Staff, Dec 19, 2023 / 19:05 pm Vice President Kamala Harris announced she will embark on a tour across the nation promoting abortion rights, beginning on the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade next month. In focusing on abortion, the vice president’s tour …
Irish diocese to rely on laity to preside over funerals amid shortage of priests

By Joe Bukuras CNA Staff, Dec 19, 2023 / 13:30 pm More than 40 laymen and laywomen in the Diocese of Clogher in the north of Ireland will soon begin presiding over funeral liturgies amid a shortage of priests. A major vocation crisis could result in fewer than 10 active priests …
Closure of St. Martin of Tours Catholic School, Cincinnati

St. Martin of Tours Catholic School, operated by St. Martin of Tours Parish in Cheviot, will close following the completion of the 2023-2024 school year. The pastor, pastoral council and finance council of St. Martin of Tours Parish — in consultation with the Catholic Schools Office of the archdiocese — …
U.S. bishops: Vatican declaration does not change Church teaching on marriage

By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 18, 2023 / 18:20 pm A Vatican-issued declaration on blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” does not change the Catholic Church’s teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, according to a statement issued by the United States bishops. …
Vatican says priests can bless same-sex couples without condoning their lifestyles

By Jonathan Liedl Rome Newsroom, Dec 18, 2023 / 15:22 pm The Vatican has issued new guidance on the topic of blessings of same-sex attracted people, stating that Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples as an expression of pastoral closeness without condoning their sexual relations. The ruling, which also applies to …
Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings

WASHINGTON – In response to the Declaration “Fiducia supplicans” issued by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith today, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement from its spokesperson, Chieko Noguchi, executive director of public affairs. “The Declaration issued today by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the …
Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings

With the Declaration “Fiducia supplicans” issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Francis, it will be possible to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritualization or offering the impression of a marriage. The doctrine regarding marriage does not change, and the blessing …
A Missed Opportunity

by John Stegeman Nine days before Christmas I missed an opportunity to share my faith in Jesus. I took a walk from my office to the downtown Cincinnati Kroger. Anyone familiar with the area knows that the space in front of Kroger attracts all kinds. Sometimes there are panhandlers, other …