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January 2016

January 10

Military chaplaincy a ‘complex ministry’

January 10, 2016

OTTAWA - When Brigadier General Guy Chapdelaine, Canada’s new Chaplain General, spent Christmas in Afghanistan in 2006, he took no chances on what might be in store for him.

January 11

In Gaza, visiting bishops see signs of hope amid continued destruction

January 11, 2016

JERUSALEM - From a new playground at the Catholic parish in Gaza to transitional housing provided by a U.S. agency, visiting bishops from three continents said they saw signs of hope and resilience amid the continuing poverty and destruction in the Gaza Strip.

Church's credibility found in showing mercy, Pope says in new book

January 11, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Being ministers of God's mercy, church members overcome "prejudice and rigidity," taking risks like Jesus did in order to heal and to save, Pope Francis said.

The best legacy children can receive from parents is faith, Pope says

January 11, 2016

VATICAN CITY - The best thing parents can pass on to their children is their religious faith, Pope Francis said as he baptized 26 babies.

Warmth of mercy can overcome cold indifference, Pope tells diplomats

January 11, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Cold indifference to migrants, the poor, the hungry and the persecuted must be overcome through the warmth of mercy, which can transform people into artisans of peace, Pope Francis said.

U.S. bishop says Palestinians in Cremisan Valley 'have lost hope'

January 11, 2016

BEIT JALLA, West Bank - A U.S. bishop visiting the Holy Land for the second year in a row said Palestinians whose land has been divided by the Israeli separation barrier "have lost hope."

Jerusalem church condemns vandalism of graves at Salesian monastery

January 11, 2016

JERUSALEM - The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the vandalism of seven graves at the Salesians of Don Bosco Beit Jamal monastery outside of Jerusalem and called for more education for respect toward people of different religious backgrounds.

Cardinal among faith leaders to pay respects to David Bowie

January 11, 2016

The legendary musician and showman David Bowie was as mutable and enigmatic about his religious views as he was about his music, art and gender-bending fashion choices.

Supreme Court hears arguments, defers ruling on assisted-suicide extension

January 11, 2016

The Supreme Court of Canada has reserved judgment Jan. 11 after hearing arguments for and against granting Parliament an extension on the Feb. 6 deadline to pass legislation on assisted suicide in Canada.

January 12

Pope: Prayers of the faithful, not clergy, can make miracles happen

January 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY - The prayers of the faithful, not the pope, bishops, priests or nuns, have the power to make miracles happen in the most impossible situations, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass.

Comedian, cardinal, inmate present Pope Francis book on mercy

January 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Arms flailing, the exuberant and perhaps hyperactive Italian actor and comedian Roberto Benigni described Pope Francis as a masterful minister of God's mercy, which is always active and always on the move.

Salvadoran prelate: Files available to bring justice in Jesuit murders

January 12, 2016

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - San Salvador Archbishop Jose Escobar Alas said church files on human rights violations committed during the civil war are available to help to find the truth and bring about justice in the killings of six Jesuit priests and two women, murdered in November 1989.

Bishops urge more peace efforts to help displaced Iraqi Christians

January 12, 2016

AMMAN, Jordan - With crises in Syria and Iraq deepening, Catholic bishops on a solidarity visit with the "forgotten" Christians of the Middle East are urging stepped-up peace efforts to resolve conflicts tearing apart the troubled region.

January 13

Cardinal urges Catholic teachers to practice what they teach

January 13, 2016

TORONTO - Catholic teachers should be genuine in their faith and countercultural agents of holy wisdom, particularly at a time when assisted suicide and euthanasia are coming to Canada, said Cardinal Thomas Collins.

Faithfulness in mercy is God's way of being, Pope says

January 13, 2016

VATICAN CITY - God's mercy is constant and limitless; he is faithful in his mercy for his children, even when they are unfaithful, Pope Francis said.

El Paso Mass scrapped, but not papal Mass across border

January 13, 2016

EL PASO, Texas - The Diocese of El Paso has scrapped plans for a border Mass that would have taken place at the same time as the closing Mass of Pope Francis' visit to Mexico in February.

January 14

2015 was ‘worst year’ for Christian persecution, says Open Doors

January 14, 2016

WASHINGTON - With North Korea leading the way and Islamic extremism rapidly expanding, 2015 was the “worst year in modern history for Christian persecution,” according to a group tracking this issue.

Price of peace

January 14, 2016

Addressing U.S. congress last September, Pope Francis bluntly dissected the multi-billion-dollar international arms industry.

Building Catholic education through the domestic Church

January 14, 2016

The strength of Catholic education is founded on an alliance between families, parishes and schools which work together towards a shared objective. Together they comprise the domestic church.

Pope to teens: Don't fall for hate, fearmongers; find nice friends

January 14, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Don't fall for hate and fearmongering from others; make new friends instead and always help and show concern for others, Pope Francis told the world's teens.