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April 2017

April 13

Violence only benefits ‘warlords’ who profit off bloodshed, says Pope Francis

April 13, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Violence is not the way to fix a broken world, rather it only benefits a handful of "warlords" who profit off of human bloodshed, Pope Francis said.

Full text from Holy Thursday Chrism Mass

April 13, 2017

Pope Francis on Thursday presided over the Chrism Mass, during which the sacred oils used for the Sacraments and Ordinations were blessed.

Pope at Chrism Mass: Never separate truth of Gospel from its joy, mercy

April 13, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Always preach the whole truth of the Gospel with humility and respect and never be afraid to offer that truth just "one sip at a time," Pope Francis told the world's priests.

Resurrection is a reality on every level

April 13, 2017

Believers and non-believers alike have been arguing about the Resurrection since the day Jesus rose.

A new birth and living hope is offered to all

April 13, 2017

Second Sunday of Easter, April 23 (Year A) Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 God’s power was revealed in the early Christian communities in dramatic ways. Why then and not now? How did they make it happen?

Interfaith group reports on Philippine drug-related killings to U.N.

April 13, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – An interfaith delegation from the Philippines raised concerns over drug-related killings during a meeting with the special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings at the United Nations.

Egypt's Christians to hold restrained Easter services in light of attacks

April 13, 2017

MINYA, Egypt – After two bomb attacks on worshippers at Coptic Orthodox churches on Sunday, the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of Minya has announced it will celebrate Easter without the typical festive accoutrements.

Pope washes feet of 12 prison inmates at Holy Thursday Mass

April 13, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In a gesture of service toward marginalized people, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 inmates, including three women and a man who is converting from Islam to Catholicism.

Trump signs bill to let states redirect funds away from abortion clinics

April 13, 2017

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed a bill into law April 13 that allows states to redirect Title X family planning funding away from clinics that perform abortions and to community clinics that provide comprehensive health care for women and children.

April 14

Speaking Out: Of science and miracles

April 14, 2017

He is risen! Truly, He is risen! We have just begun our celebration of the most incredible miracle of all time — the miracle of Easter.

Brampton's St. Anthony’s youth help lead outdoor Stations of the Cross

April 14, 2017

Without the suffering and bloodshed of the Passion of Christ, we could not receive His mercy and forgiveness. For the last 27 years, St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Brampton, Ont., has put on a outdoor Stations of the Cross throughout the city.

Roman Missal calls Easter Vigil 'mother of all vigils' for a reason

April 14, 2017

WASHINGTON – The Catholic Church pulls out all the stops for the Easter Vigil, the Mass celebrated on Holy Saturday.

Hungarian Christians urge churches to end silence on refugees

April 14, 2017

WARSAW, Poland– Hungarian lay Catholics have circulated a petition, signed by members of other denominations, urging their country's churches to stop "closing their eyes" to the plight of refugees.

Study: worldwide restrictions on religion once again on the rise

April 14, 2017

The number of countries with "high levels" of restrictions on religion due to government policies or actions of people increased in 2015, reversing a downward trend, according to a new study.

Czech bishop demands asylum for Chinese Christians

April 14, 2017

WARSAW, Poland – A Czech bishop has accused his government of prioritizing trade ties over human rights after it delayed granting asylum to dozens of Chinese Christians seeking protection in the country.

Canada’s religious tolerance is on the rise, according to Angus Reid survey

April 14, 2017

Canadians are still leery of Islam and mostly weirded out by the veils and headscarves worn by a minority of Muslim women, but our general tolerance for religious diversity is actually on the rise, according to a survey released April 4 by the Angus Reid Institute.

Good Friday papal preacher: Victory belongs to one who triumphs over self, not others

April 14, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Jesus came to the world not just to teach, but to radically change human hearts that have hardened from sin, the preacher of the papal household said during a service commemorating Christ's death on the cross.

April 15

Bishop Crosby: ‘Easter offers a reality that is full of joy’

April 15, 2017

The following is the Easter message released by Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Prayer cells still a vital part of World Apostolate of Fatima

April 15, 2017

WASHINGTON – Millions of baby-boomer Catholics grew up hearing the phrase "Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima" in their churches and Catholic schools.

An empty tomb and a bodily resurrection: why it matters

April 15, 2017

WASHINGTON – Catholics and other Christians have grown up believing in the Resurrection, but the Apostles themselves were among the first who were skeptical that Jesus arose from the dead.