Faith

Pope Francis warns against those who 'judge' with closed hearts

April 11, 2016

Pope Francis on Monday spoke of the importance of taking stock of what is in people’s hearts and lives instead of only taking the law into account.

For Catholic astronauts, flying to space doesn't mean giving up the faith

April 10, 2016

WASHINGTON - On the International Space Station there's a place, while filled with robotic equipment, where astronauts like to hang out. Called the Cupola, the small module has seven large bay windows that give crew members a panoramic view of Earth.

50 years ago, Time asked if God was dead? Millions today would say no

April 9, 2016

WASHINGTON - It hit like the proverbial ton of bricks: the Time magazine cover story of April 8, 1966 — Good Friday that year — asking, “Is God Dead?”

Canadian bishops point to "Amoris Laetitia" in fight against euthanasia

April 9, 2016

OTTAWA — Canada’s Catholic bishops are glad to count Pope Francis as an ally in their fight against euthanasia. The bishops were anxious to point out how strong the Pope rejects euthanasia in his post-synodal exhortation Amoris Laetita: On Love in the Family, Apr. 8, noting in its teachings its rejection of euthanasia.

Document on family develops doctrine, doesn't change it, says Schonborn

April 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' document on the family reflects an "organic development" of Church teaching and doctrine, said Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, theologian and participant in both Synods that dealt with the topic.

Gestures, spirituality are essential in family life, Pope says

April 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Simple gestures such as a kind look or a morning kiss and family prayer can strengthen couples in living out their vocation to marriage, Pope Francis said in his apostolic exhortation.

Share truth of family with mercy, Pope says in apostolic exhortation

April 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY – The same mercy and patience that are essential for building a strong family must be shown to those whose families are in trouble or have broken up, Pope Francis said in his highly anticipated post-synodal apostolic exhortation.

Pope to visit Lesbos to highlight plight of refugees

April 7, 2016

VATICAN CITY - In an effort to highlight the dramatic situation of refugees left in limbo on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis and other Christian leaders will meet with the migrants April 16.

Everyday saints and martyrs carry the Church forward

April 7, 2016

At his daily Mass on Thursday, Pope Francis said it is “the saints of ordinary life, and the martyrs of today that carry the Church forward.” They do so, he said, “with their consistent and courageous witness to the Risen Christ, thanks to the working of the Holy Spirit.”

Christian harmony vs contrived tranquility

April 5, 2016

A Christian community that lives in "harmony" is fruit of the Holy Spirit and should not be confused with "tranquility" that often is a hypocritical whitewashing of its contrasts and divisions.