Council to ask pope to authorize studies on key synod topics December 12, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The council of the Synod of Bishops will ask Pope Francis to authorize studies on the need to update canon law, revise the rules for priestly formation, deepen a theological reflection on the diaconate — including the possibility of ordaining women deacons — and consider revising a document that provides norms for the relationship of a bishop with members of religious orders in his diocese.
Texas Supreme Court rules abortion petition failed to meet ban’s exception standards December 12, 2023By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The Texas Supreme Court on Dec. 11 overruled a district judge’s order allowing a pregnant mother to obtain an abortion under an exemption to the state’s abortion ban.
Special guests at dinner under Bernini’s colonnade — the homeless December 12, 2023By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News For the first time in history, 150 homeless people had a festive meal, served by Italian journalists and their families, under the famous baroque Bernini’s colonnade in St. Peter’s Square.
Pregnant mother at heart of Texas abortion case flees state after high court’s stay December 11, 2023By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The Texas Supreme Court has temporarily stayed a district judge’s Dec. 7 ruling in favor of a pregnant mother who sued the state for an exemption to its abortion ban, after arguing her pregnancy would endanger her life and future fertility.
Kyiv parish enshrines St. John Paul II relics as sign of ‘strength to endure’ persecution December 11, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, World News A Catholic church in Ukraine named for St. Nicholas marked its patron’s feast day by enshrining relics from St. John Paul II, who witnessed the power of faith over authoritarianism.
Disconnecting from social media ‘essential’ to Christian life, pope says December 11, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News To connect with God, Christians must disconnect from the “pollution of vain words and chatter” that reach them through social media and instead seek silence in the desert, Pope Francis said.
Weeping Mary is sign of her motherly love, pope says December 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Weeping Madonna of Syracuse, a plaster image of Mary hung in the bedroom of a newlywed couple in southern Italy that began shedding tears, Pope Francis said the miraculous sign is a reminder of Mary’s maternal presence and her desire that all people would know the love and peace of her son.
Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land December 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene — a live one — staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.
Nebraska priest dies after attack during apparent rectory break-in December 11, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News A Nebraska priest has died after being attacked in the rectory of his parish in the early morning before he was to celebrate Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent.
YDisciple launches evangelization resources in Spanish to reach U.S. youth December 11, 2023By Marietha Góngora V. OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, News, World News, Youth Ministry In November, NET Ministries, a Minnesota-based Catholic youth ministry that has been inspiring and forming young people to live their faith for decades, announced that it was expanding its outreach to Hispanic youth through its YDisciple project.
Country star Craig Morgan shares his journey of faith to becoming Catholic December 11, 2023By Katie Peterson OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News Country start Craig Morgan grew up in various Christian denominations, predominantly Baptist and, for a time, Presbyterian. But there were some things that didn’t sit quite right with him until he began studying the Catholic faith.
Marie Miller takes music and faith to new level in ‘Woman’ December 10, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, World News A young singer-songwriter in Nashville, Tenn., is taking her music — and her faith — to a new level with her latest release.