Full text: Vatican doctrinal office’s response to a question on the blessing of same-sex unions

CNA Staff, Mar 15, 2021 / 05:52 am MT (CNA).- Here is the full text of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s response to a question on the blessing of same-sex unions, followed by an accompanying commentary, issued March 15, 2021: Responsum of the Congregation for the …
Vatican’s doctrinal office: Catholic Church cannot give blessings to same-sex unions

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Mar 15, 2021 / 05:22 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican’s doctrinal office on Monday clarified that the Catholic Church does not have the power to give liturgical blessings of homosexual unions. Answering the question “does the Church have the power to give the blessing to …
March 15: St. Louise de Marillac

St. Louise de Marillac was born on August 15, 1591 near the town of Meux, France. Louise received an education from the Dominican convent at Poissy and eventually discerned that she was called to religious life. After consulting her confessor concerning her plans to enter the religious life, Louise decided …
The Final Word: Remember the faithfulness of Joseph

Those who are familiar with the extended lore of Tolkien’s Middle Earth know of the great wolfhound Huan, the “Hound of Valinor,” who was given the power to speak only three times before his death. Knowing this, you would be sure to pay special attention to whatever extraordinary words came …
Annual Fatima pilgrimage to be virtual due to pandemic

Fatima, Portugal, Mar 13, 2021 / 04:01 pm MT (CNA).- The Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, António Cardinal dos Santos Marto, announced that the 2021 pilgrimage to Fatima will take place virtually due to existing restrictions in Portugal because of the coronavirus pandemic. The cardinal encouraged the faithful to make a spiritual …
Pope Francis celebrates 500 years of ‘the joy of the Gospel’ in the Philippines

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Mar 14, 2021 / 05:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis offered Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday to mark 500 years of Catholic faith in the Philippines. “Dear brothers and sisters, 500 years have passed since the Christian message first arrived in the Philippines. …
Burmese cardinal urges prayer octave for China

Yangon, Burma, Mar 14, 2021 / 09:50 am MT (CNA).- Charles Maung Cardinal Bo of Yangon on Sunday called for the expansion of a day of prayer for the Church in China, established by Benedict XVI, into an octave. In 2007, Benedict designated May 24, the feast of Our Lady …
Live! 24 Hours for the Lord: 40 Hours Devotion Closing Mass: Saturday March 13, 4:15 p.m. EST

24 Hours for the Lord: 40 Hours Devotion Closing Mass: Saturday March 13, 4:15 p.m. EST The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., is a Catholic church dedicated to the Blessed Mother, patroness of our nation. It is a place of worship, pilgrimage, evangelization, …
Priests share hope for new Pittsburgh parish in Black Catholic tradition

by Kate Veik Denver Newsroom, Mar 13, 2021 / 02:00 am MT (CNA).- Last summer, Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh made an important announcement. St. Benedict the Moor, a historic parish in the Hill District near downtown Pittsburgh, would become a personal parish in the Black Catholic tradition. Most parishes …
St. Peter’s Basilica to end private Masses, restrict Masses in extraordinary form

by Andrea Gagliarducci Vatican City, Mar 12, 2021 / 06:01 pm MT (CNA).- A new letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State has banned the private celebration of Masses at side altars in St. Peter’s Basilica, effective March 22. The regulation might seem tailored to meet COVID restrictions, as Italy …