Pope Francis: Christian life ‘is a battle against the spirit of evil’
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 21, 2021 / 05:35 am MT (CNA).- Like Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, Christians must be prepared to battle evil, knowing that “with faith, prayer, and penance,” the victory is assured, Pope Francis said Sunday. In his weekly Angelus address, the …
Pope Francis accepts Cardinal Robert Sarah’s resignation from divine worship congregation
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 20, 2021 / 04:50 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Saturday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Robert Sarah as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Sarah, who turned 75 in June 2020, was the most senior African …
What’s the point of fasting, anyway?
by Matt Hadro Washington D.C., Feb 19, 2021 / 03:02 pm MT ().- God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it – fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life. But for many Catholics today, it’s more of an afterthought: something …
Judge blocks S Carolina ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban, but backers look to Supreme Court
CNA Staff, Feb 19, 2021 / 07:01 pm MT (CNA).- A federal judge has temporarily blocked South Carolina’s heartbeat-based abortion ban just days after its passage, in response to court filings from Planned Parenthood. However, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has argued that Planned Parenthood can’t be sure the …
Archbishop Gomez urges prayer, support for those affected by winter storm
CNA Staff, Feb 19, 2021 / 11:25 am MT (CNA).- Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles on Friday encouraged prayer and support for those affected by a major winter storm across the southern US. “I join my brother bishops in praying for all those who have died and been injured …
Obituary: Father John “Jack” E. Wessling
Father John “Jack” E. Wessling died on Monday, February 15, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 23, 1931 in Covington, Kentucky. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and received an M.A. in philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West …
George Weigel explores ‘vocation’ by elegizing historic figures
CNA Staff, Feb 18, 2021 / 03:19 pm MT (CNA).- George Weigel this month released a book collecting remembrances of a range of historical figures, with the goal of exploring “what it means to live a worthy life.” Not Forgotten: Elegies For, and Reminiscences Of, a Diverse Cast of Characters, …
Pope Francis gives Roman Curia 17th-century text as Lenten reading
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 19, 2021 / 05:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has given each member of the Roman Curia a book to include in their spiritual reading for their Lenten retreat this year. The book was written by an unnamed Cistercian monk in the 17th century …
Obituary: Father Carl A. Birarelli
Father Carl A. Birarelli died on February 12, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida. He was born on October 30, 1926, in Everett, Massachusetts. He was ordained on June 15, 1958 for the Congregation of the Missionary of St. Charles as a member of the Scalibrini Fathers by Archbishop William O’Brien, Auxiliary …
Texas Catholics press through winter storm to help neighbors
by Jonah McKeown Denver Newsroom, Feb 18, 2021 / 12:26 am MT (CNA).- Amid a winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and widespread power outages to much of Texas, Catholics are stepping up to help their neighbors even while dealing with their own shortages of electricity and water. Unseasonably cold …
