Pope Francis changes law to allow Vatican City court to judge cardinals, bishops
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 30, 2021 / 07:00 am America/Denver (CNA). Pope Francis on Friday amended part of a law issued last year regulating Vatican City’s judicial system, now allowing the court of first instance to rule on criminal trials of bishops and cardinals. The law previously said …
How churches can respond to the COVID-19 mental health crisis
by Kate Scanlon Washington D.C., Apr 29, 2021 / 07:00 am America/Denver (CNA). With concerns that suicide rates are rising in communities of color during the pandemic, Catholic mental health workers say the Church can play a key role in response. Claire Shynett, coordinator of the Houston chapter of the …
Texas bill proposes longer waiting limit for divorce: a small step to strengthen marriage?
by Kevin J. Jones Austin, Texas, Apr 29, 2021 / 03:01 am America/Denver (CNA). A Texas legislator has again proposed extending the waiting limit on no-fault divorce, a proposal that has drawn support from the Texas Catholic Conference. The state Catholic conference told CNA April 27 that it supports the …
Scottish bishops’ leader laments ‘disturbing’ public worship ban in Ireland
CNA Staff, Apr 28, 2021 / 12:00 pm America/Denver (CNA). The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland on Wednesday deplored the Irish government’s “disturbing” public worship ban. In an April 28 statement on behalf of the Scottish bishops, Bishop Hugh Gilbert criticized new regulations on public worship, approved April …
In anti-corruption law, Pope Francis seeks to quash Vatican ‘envelope’ culture with ban on gifts over $50
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 29, 2021 / 04:50 am America/Denver (CNA). As part of a sweeping new anti-corruption law, Pope Francis on Thursday declared that officials of the Roman Curia should no longer accept personal gifts with a monetary value over 40 euros (about $50). The new rule …
The Two Popes: Fact or Fiction?
Upon Friar Review: The Two Popes is an incredibly well produced story about Pope Benedict meeting with then Cardinal Jorgeo Bergoglio. Much of the story expresses powerful truths about the Church today and a life of faith, but much of it is far from factual.
Pope Francis to launch rosary ‘marathon’ for end to pandemic
Vatican City, Apr 28, 2021 / 07:00 am America/Denver (CNA). Pope Francis on Saturday will lead a rosary to begin a month-long prayer marathon for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pope’s rosary will be broadcast live from the Gregorian Chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica at 6 p.m. Rome …
Catholic dioceses appeal to Supreme Court for protection against New York’s abortion coverage mandate
by Joe Bukuras Washington D.C., Apr 27, 2021 / 13:00 pm America/Denver (CNA). The dioceses of Albany and Ogdensburg and other Catholic and Christian ministries last week asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case against New York’s abortion coverage mandate. The 2017 mandate from the state’s Department of …
White House: Biden ‘respectfully disagrees’ with bishops on fetal tissue research
Washington D.C., Apr 27, 2021 / 16:00 pm America/Denver (CNA). The White House press secretary said on Tuesday that President Biden “respectfully disagrees” with Catholic bishops on federally-funded fetal tissue research. At Tuesday’s White House press briefing, EWTN News Nightly’s Owen Jensen asked press secretary Jen Psaki about the Biden …
300 Miles with Mary: Archdiocese prepares for 33 Day Marian Pilgrimage in honor of Bicentennial
WHAT DEFINES A PILGRIMAGE? A pilgrimage is a journey to locations of religious importance. The external journey is meant to ignite an internal spiritual journey of conversion. Pilgrimages can be life-changing. It is a deep act of prayer in which individuals bring special intentions, hopes for the future and hearts …
