Catholic News Service
December 28, 2017
Vatican agency says at least 23 church workers killed in 2017
VATICAN – The majority of Catholic Church workers violently killed in 2017 were victims of attempted robberies, the Vatican's Fides agency said, with Nigeria and Mexico topping the list countries where the most brutal murders were carried out.
Published in
International
December 28, 2017
Pope: Festivities become a facade when Christ is left out of Christmas
VATICAN – Only when Christ is the focus of the Christmas season do all the colorful lights, carols, special meals and traditions help create a festive and joyous atmosphere, Pope Francis said.
Published in
Faith
December 26, 2017
Urbi et orbi: We see Jesus in every suffering child, Pope says
VATICAN – Those who recognize the Lord in the baby Jesus in the manger also should recognize his presence in children suffering today because of war, poverty and immigration, Pope Francis said.
Published in
Faith
December 24, 2017
Christians must be "messengers of hope", called to share joy, Pope says
VATICAN – Christmas calls believers to see God's presence where he is often perceived as absent, especially in the "unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors," Pope Francis said.
Published in
Faith
December 21, 2017
Cardinal Law's funeral celebrated at Vatican
VATICAN – Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who resigned as archbishop of Boston when it became clear he had knowingly transferred priests accused of sexually abusing children, made mistakes as all people do, Cardinal Angelo Sodano said at his funeral.
Published in
International
December 21, 2017
"Funeral faces", pessimism of life are not Christian, Pope says
VATICAN – Christians have good reason to be joyful and should let it shine in their faces rather than sport sad, pessimistic looks, Pope Francis said.
Published in
Reflections
December 21, 2017
Curia exists for service, not for glory, Pope says
VATICAN – The people who work at the Vatican and in the Roman Curia are supposed to be "sensitive antennas" that faithfully transmit the desires of the Pope and receive information from dioceses and Eastern Catholic churches around the world, Pope Francis said.
Published in
International
December 20, 2017
Archbishop: Israelis, Palestinians must agree before Jerusalem changes
JERUSALEM – The status quo of Jerusalem should remain as is until an agreement about the holy city is reached by Palestinians and Israelis, said Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Published in
International
December 20, 2017
Catholic leaders offer prayers for all affected by Amtrak derailment
DUPONT, Wash. – Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, offered prayers for all affected by the Dec. 18 derailment of an Amtrak train that had just come from the Tacoma station and was headed to Portland.
Published in
International
MELBOURNE, Australia – An Australian Royal Commission has recommended that the Vatican consider lifting the seal of the confessional in child-abuse cases and allowing voluntary celibacy for priests.
Published in
International