Proclaiming Holy Year, pope says it is time to strengthen and share hope May 9, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The document, called a “bull of indiction,” specifies that the holy year will open at the Vatican Dec. 24 this year and close Jan. 6, 2026, the feast of Epiphany. Pope Francis also asked bishops around the world to inaugurate the Holy Year in their dioceses Dec. 29 this year and celebrate the conclusion of the Jubilee locally Dec. 28, 2025.
Federal court says Catholic school has right to employ teachers who uphold church teaching May 9, 2024By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Schools, World News A federal appeals court May 8 ruled in favor of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, protecting religious schools’ freedom to hire schoolteachers who will uphold their religious beliefs.
Proposed abortion ballot measures in several states move closer to qualifying for November May 9, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Abortion advocates in at least 15 states are seeking to qualify ballot measures for November that would enshrine abortion protections in law or their state constitutions, and some efforts recently got a step closer.
Havana chapel restored, reconsecrated with U.S., international support May 9, 2024By Tom Tracy OSV News Filed Under: News, World News What some are now calling the most beautiful church in Cuba is a newly restored Catholic university chapel in Havana abruptly abandoned during the Cuban Revolution and in disuse for some 60 years.
Catholic groups call for cease-fire in Gaza, release of Israeli hostages May 9, 2024By Lauretta Brown OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Feature, News, World News More than 2,500 Catholic bishops, priests, women religious, academics, laypeople and Catholic groups have called for a cease-fire in Gaza in a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders.
Irish pro-lifers march as abortion numbers ‘soar’ May 9, 2024By Sarah Mac Donald OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Those who took part in this year’s March for Life in Dublin May 6 were urged to “think pro-life” in next month’s local and European Parliament elections. Organizers said that “thousands” participated in the march, which took place on a bank holiday.
Religious freedom among values threatened by world media, experts say at conference May 9, 2024By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Journalism, News, World News – The need for quality journalism and media ethics is increasingly high, experts underlined at the academic conference “Media for Man” organized by Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, Poland. “At this point, it is a matter of people’s security,” the organizers said.
Access to aid in Gaza should not be a ‘bargaining chip,’ Caritas says as people face ‘full-blown famine’ May 8, 2024By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Feature, News, World News Israel’s escalation in Rafah is only worsening the humanitarian situation for countless men, women and children caught in the crossfire, said Ireneusz Krause, deputy director for Caritas Poland.
New York attorney sues pro-life groups over abortion pill reversal process May 8, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Heartbeat International, an anti-abortion group, and 11 crisis pregnancy centers May 6, accusing them of misleading and potentially causing harm to women by claiming that they can provide a treatment that reverses the effect of the abortion pill mifepristone.
Despite economic interests, society must embrace social justice, pope says May 8, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Social Justice, Vatican, World News While the forces of a market economy may obstruct people from advancing social justice, society cannot remain mute in the face of unjust labor practices and exploitative economic structures, Pope Francis said.
Fertility decline a complex trend beyond any one policy solution, economists say May 8, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, World News The U.S. fertility rate has slowed to a new record low, according to an analysis recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But experts said there does not appear to be any one policy that could reverse a complex trend.
Without Christian hope, a virtuous life seems futile, pope says May 8, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The world is in great need of hope and patience, Pope Francis said at his weekly general audience.