Americans are justly proud of the freedoms secured by the first ten amendments to our Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights. And freedom of religion is cited first: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” However, …

MARIA STEIN, Ohio (June 28, 2017) – A prayer service specifically for married couples will take place at Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics Sunday evening, July 23 at 7 p.m.. The night will include dinner and prayer together. Father Sean Wilson will lead a talk on holiness and …

In the wake of Amoris Laetitia much discussion has turned to discussion of family life. With that in mind, today’s Throwback Thursday is a prayer/pledge specifically for those called to the vocation of marriage and family life. The “Christian Marriage Pledge” appeared in a 1967 supplement to The Catholic Telegraph-Register …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph With the issuing of two documents Tuesday morning, Pope Francis announced several changes in the church’s procedure for issuing declarations of nullity pertaining to marriages. No official English translation of the motu proprios has been made available at this time, but various Vatican correspondents …

By Matt Hadro CNA/EWTN News After the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, some county clerks have voiced religious objections to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Does legal protection for them exist? “Frankly, there’s no reason why they [the clerks] should have to resign,” Ken Connelly, legal counsel for the …

By Nate Madden Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The number of Catholic marriages in the United States is at its lowest point since 1965. Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate keeps records of Catholic Church statistics going back to 1965, tracking such things as the total number …

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Although the Supreme Court just a few weeks ago declined to accept any of several challenges to rulings making same-sex marriage legal in various states, a 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision Nov. 6 could lead to another shot at the …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — A month after closing a Synod of Bishops on the family stirred by controversy over divorce, same-sex unions and other nonmarital relationships, Pope Francis will open an interreligious conference dedicated to traditional marriage. The Vatican-sponsored gathering, on the “Complementarity of …

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Study after study has confirmed that those who are involved in religion and those who are married are healthier, physically and mentally happier and live longer than those who are not. “The health benefits of marriage are so strong that a …

CNA/EWTN News Pope Francis will establish a commission to review the matrimonial process in canon law with the goal of simplifying the procedure while maintaining the indissolubility of marriage, the Holy See Press Office announced Saturday. According to Vatican Radio, the decision was made on Aug. 2 of this year …