Pope apologizes that statues were vandalized, says they were recovered
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis apologized that two men entered a church near the Vatican, took controversial statues and tossed them into the Tiber River. "As bishop of the diocese, I apologize," he said Oct. 25, the first time the full membership …
Path to women deacons opened by Pope Benedict, Brazilian bishop says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A change to the Code of Canon Law made by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 provides a canonical path to allow the ordination of women deacons, a Brazilian bishop said. Speaking to journalists at a synod press briefing …
Mind your own business each day to grow in holiness, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Too often Catholics know what is going on in their neighbor’s house but pay little or no attention to the normal spiritual struggles going on in their own hearts and souls, Pope Francis said. Life involves a continuing battle …
Win or lose, baseball is better with faith, former Astros batboy says
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Blake family By James Ramos HOUSTON (CNS) — At 17, Matthew Blake was living the dream of most young baseball players. A stroke of luck got him in Minute Maid Park prepping dugouts as a teenage batboy for the Houston Astros and their visiting teams. For four …
The great experience with The School of Faith in the Holy Land
The Holy Land, often referred to as the fifth Gospel, offers the Catholic pilgrim an unparalleled spiritual opportunity. Spend five nights in Jerusalem visiting Bethlehem, the Baptismal site at the Jordan River, the Judean hills of the Visitation, and trace Jesus’ steps through all the events of the Holy Week. …
Looking Back: Former Reds mascot makes connection to faith through youth ministry
By Eileen Connelly, OSU The Catholic Telegraph Bradley Barnes recalls the youth ministers who inspired him when he was a child and in his teenage years. Now he hopes to do the same for the young people at Guardian Angels Parish in Mt. Washington, where he has served as coordinator …
Big push made for Mexican premiere of ‘Unplanned’ movie
IMAGE: CNS photo/Unplanned.com By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — For U.S. elections, candidates and political parties may develop something they call a "50-state strategy." But for the Oct. 25 premiere in Mexico of the Spanish-language version of "Unplanned," actor Eduardo Verastegui, the movie’s executive director, has employed a 32-state strategy. …
Proposed Amazonian rite centered on Christ, indigenous professor says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Addressing concerns about a proposed Amazonian rite in the Catholic Church, an indigenous participant at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon called on Catholics to soften their hearts and understand the needs of Catholics in the region. …
Climate change forcing Pacific islanders from homes, cardinal says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Barbara J. Fraser VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When Cardinal John Ribat of Papua New Guinea was young, he and his neighbors noticed that their well water tasted of salt. Crops also failed as the soil became salty. Papua New Guinea consists of a large island …
Update: Indiana Catholics share experiences of racism at listening session
IMAGE: CNS photo/Sean Gallagher, The Criterion By Sean Gallagher INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — It wasn’t easy for Daryl Whitley to stand before a diverse audience of listeners as he prepared to share his experiences of racism. But he knew that doing so could promote justice and racial healing. So, crediting the …