In Amazon, mission work changed, but still means accompanying suffering
IMAGE: CNS photo/Barbara J. Fraser By Barbara J. Fraser LIMA, Peru (CNS) — The Amazon basin, with its hundreds of indigenous tribes, has been mission territory since the first Spanish and Portuguese priests set out in canoes along its rivers in the 17th century. As bishops and pastoral workers from …
Caring for the poor, the hungry ‘is who we are’ as church, cardinal says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Fordham University By Beth Griffin NEW YORK (CNS) — To those who ask why the Catholic Church seems to be "obsessed" with the poor, the Vatican’s secretary of state said, "The answer is simple. Because this is who we are." "Because taking care of the hungry, the thirsty, …
For communications day, pope says memories can help unite people
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Paige Hanley VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will highlight the important role of memory and storytelling across generations as a way to bring people together in a world marked by discord and division, the Vatican said. The pope believes that memory — far from …
Christians have ‘moral duty’ to help migrants, refugees, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians have a moral obligation to show God’s care for all those who are marginalized, especially migrants and refugees, Pope Francis said. "This loving care for the less privileged is presented as a characteristic trait of the God of …
Refugee advocates decry Trump administration’s plan to cut refugee cap
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ekaterina Anchevskaya, Reuters By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Refugee advocates are opposed to the decision announced by the Trump administration Sept. 26 that it plans to admit no more than 18,000 refugees in the next fiscal year, the lowest number since the resettlement program was created in …
Accurate reading of presynod text shows nothing to fear, theologian says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) — It only takes an accurate, unbiased reading of the working document for the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon to see its aim to find new ways to evangelize the region does not stray from church tradition or the teachings …
After faith leaders’ border visit, the resolve to help migrants grows
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Rhina Guidos HATCH, N.M. (CNS) — A group of U.S. Catholic bishops, along with a Vatican representative and other priests, celebrated Mass Sept. 26 next to a field of chili peppers with farmworkers and their families and other immigrants. They blessed the workers’ hands. They …
Walking the Path of Devastation
Archbishop Dennis Schnurr Tours Tornado Damage in Dayton; Meets with Catholic Social Services Story and photos by Jessica Rinaudo It was a somber day walking into the offices of Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley (CSSMV) in Dayton. Archbishop Dennis Schnurr was there to visit and hear the stories …
In Profile: Christine & Todd Marallen
Promoting Second Chances Through Damascus Everyone deserves a second chance and the opportunity to discover God’s purpose for them. Firm in this belief, Christine and Todd Marallen established a program called Damascus in 2015. Damascus helps previously incarcerated citizens return to life outside prison by helping them acquire and maintain …
Seek the Lord by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. We often think of May as the month of Mary, but October is also devoted to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. On October 7, we …
