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January 2019

January 18

Editorial: One lucky refugee

January 18, 2019

There’s nothing like a feel-good story to kick off a new year, and stories seldom get more uplifting than a dramatic rescue involving a teenage girl who feared for her life.

Charles Lewis: Writings connect the dots of creation

January 18, 2019

One of the great joys of dealing with chronic pain is that I can read books about the faith all the time without feeling guilty.

January 19

God's Word on Sunday: A new song reveals God’s healing nature

January 19, 2019

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 20 (Year C) Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12

January 20

Jean Ko Din in Panama: Renewing my devotion to Mary at World Youth Day

January 20, 2019

As much as I want to travel light for this pilgrimage, I'm letting myself bring one book to World Youth Day – St. Louis de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary.

January 21

U.S. bishops urge bipartisan plan to stop government shutdown, protect 'vulnerable' groups

January 21, 2019

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and Congress "must come together" to reach a bipartisan solution that reopens the government and "recognizes the economic struggle" now facing federal workers and their families and all those helped by federal nutrition and housing programs, said two U.S. bishops.

Pope’s app 'Click to Pray' connects Catholics to mobile prayer network

January 21, 2019

VATICAN – Pope Francis launched an app Sunday called “Click to Pray,” which connects Catholics to a global network to share prayer intentions via their smartphones.

Vatican knew of Argentine bishops' sexual misconduct allegations before appointment, ex-vicar says

January 21, 2019

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – In an exclusive report from the Associated Press, the former vicar to Argentine Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta said that the Vatican had had information about sexual abuse allegations against Zanchetta for several years.

Pope closes Ecclesia Dei, transfers pastoral care of traditionalist Catholics to CDF

January 21, 2019

VATICAN – Pope Francis has closed the pontifical commission that had been responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics attached to the pre-Vatican II Mass, transferring the commission's tasks to a special section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Jean Ko Din in Panama: World Youth Day is a vision of heaven

January 21, 2019

We are united in the name of the Lord.

After outrage, claims of racism, clearer details of March for Life exchange emerge

January 21, 2019

WASHINGTON – An exchange between Catholic high school students and a Native American tribal leader in Washington Jan. 18 was vilified on social media the following day, but the immediate accusations the students showed racist behavior have been stepped back as more details of the entire situation have emerged.

Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: Call Venezuela’s evil by name

January 21, 2019

For several years now, Catholic refugee policy — articulated passionately and repeatedly by the Holy See and many national bishops’ conferences — has focused on the urgent secondary thing, rather than the most important primary thing.

January 22

Spitzer plots steady course as new leader of Toronto's Catholic Family Services

January 22, 2019

Taking on a new role in life comes with its challenges, but Brenda Spitzer steps into Catholic Family Services of Toronto with the knowledge she will be following along a steady path laid down by her predecessors for almost a century.

Pope Francis says he's pained by deaths in Colombia, the Mediterranean

January 22, 2019

VATICAN – When Pope Francis led the recitation of the Angelus prayer Jan. 20, he told the crowd in St. Peter's Square that he had "two pains in my heart: Colombia and the Mediterranean."

'The Pope's youth': Pilgrims get warm welcome in Panama

January 22, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Jorge Soto wore a wrestling mask typical of Lucha Libre fighters in Mexico and every few steps he took, others would sidle up to have a picture taken with him. The mask was fun to wear, and it was something associated with his native country, which he was proud to represent at 2019 World Youth Day in Panama, he said.

Pilgrim’s diary: The adventure begins

January 22, 2019

Wow! Waking up in Panama was a real joy!

Bishops express unity with Israeli Christians, call for their inclusion

January 22, 2019

JERUSALEM – Bishops from North America, Europe and South Africa who joined this year's Holy Land Coordination reiterated their solidarity with all of Israel's Christians and called for their equal inclusion in Israeli society.

World Youth Day 'manifesto' makes pledge to environment

January 22, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Young people attending World Youth Day called attention to the world's environmental problems, issuing what they called a "manifesto" for the "care of the common home."

State-sanctioned bishop says he'll work to adapt religion to Chinese influences

January 22, 2019

BEIJING – The president of China's state-sanctioned bishops' conference has pledged to work with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association to develop the Sinicization of religion in the communist nation.

'Zimbabwe is burning': Bishop calls for peace amid political protests

January 22, 2019

HARARE, Zimbabwe – As political protests in Zimbabwe have turned violent and even fatal, reportedly leaving at least 12 people dead, the bishops of the country have called for peaceful resolutions to the crisis.

Canadian volunteers avoid sticky situation in Panama

January 22, 2019

PANAMA CITY – Unexpected challenges are part of the job description when you’re working as a volunteer at World Youth Day Panama, but what Ana Sanchez didn’t expect was that it could also be dangerous.