Denver initiative aims to reduce barriers between Catholics, lonely seniors

By Jonah McKeown Denver, Colo., Dec 22, 2019 / 04:01 pm (CNA).- When John O’Brien was in high school, his father, while only in his forties, was admitted to an assisted living facility because of Pick’s disease, a rare disorder similar to Alzheimer’s. “I spent many nights of my high …
Catholics in Camden help working families get homes of their own

By Kevin Jones Camden, N.J., Dec 23, 2019 / 07:19 am (CNA).- Affordable housing is a problem for many Americans, but for the low-income residents of Camden, a Catholic non-profit is working hard to make sure they have the budgeting skills, the life skills, and the community connections to become …
Benedict XVI creates foundation for Catholic journalism in Germany

Würzburg, Germany, Dec 20, 2019 / 10:24 am (CNA).- In what came as a surprise to many members of the Catholic elite in Germany, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has launched a foundation for Catholic journalism in his home country. “I want the Catholic voice to be heard,” the retired Roman …
Erie diocese opens sainthood cause of lay educator, advocate for those with disabilities

By Mary Farrow Erie, Pa., Dec 20, 2019 / 03:45 pm (CNA).- When Dr. Gertrude Barber became the assistant superintendent of the Erie School District in Pennsylvania, the standard practice for educating children with disabilities and special needs was to institutionalize them. This did not sit well with Barber, who …
Pope Francis accepts resignation of dean of cardinals, sets 5-year term limit

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Dec 21, 2019 / 07:54 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Saturday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals and declared that the position will now have a five-year term limit with the possibility of renewal. Previously, cardinal dean, considered …
What a decade! A look at the biggest Catholic stories of the 2010s

Vatican City, Dec 21, 2019 / 04:00 am (CNA).- When Church historians look back on the last ten years, they’ll have several historic and important moments to study. And Catholics who’ve lived through the last decade may feel that changes, often one right after another, were both dizzying and exciting. …
Pope sets term of office for dean of College of Cardinals
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After accepting the resignation of 92-year-old Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis changed the norms of the office so that the dean would be elected to a five-year term renewable only once. Cardinal …
‘Christendom no longer exists,’ pope says, explaining need to revamp Curia
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The ongoing reform of the Roman Curia is a necessary part of the Catholic Church’s fidelity to its mission to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing that very few countries today can be described as "Christian" and that new ways of …
Today’s Photo Essay: Celebrating Archbishop Schnurr’s 10th Anniversary

Saturday, December 21, 2019 marks the 10th Anniversary of Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr becoming the Tenth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We celebrate this day in photos.
Update: At year’s end, humanitarian aid for migrants moves across border
IMAGE: CNS photo//Henry Romero, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Over the last year, Catholic dioceses on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico, in places such as El Paso and Brownsville, Texas, scrambled to accommodate the growing number of children, men and women crossing the border, seeking …