Commission starts planning global report on child protection efforts October 31, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Feature, News, Vatican, World News With a renewed membership, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors met at the Vatican in late October and laid the groundwork for devising an annual report on child protection efforts by the Catholic Church globally.
Synod reports show enthusiasm for mission, but also identify obstacles October 30, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, World News Catholics around the globe long to share the Gospel with a world in need, but they see situations and tensions within the church that challenge their ability to do so, said one of the drafters of the document for the continental phase of the Synod of Bishops.
Enlarge the tent: Synod document sees desire for greater inclusion October 29, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, World News Around the world, listening sessions for the Synod of Bishops gave many participants a sense of finally being listened to, but they also raised questions about how to promote greater inclusion in the Catholic Church while staying true to church teaching.
Vatican announces plans for Christmas tree, Nativity scene, stamps October 28, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Nativity scene that will sit under a 98-feet-tall silver fir tree in the middle of St. Peter’s Square this year will feature 19 life-sized figures carved in cedar by artisans in the northeastern Italian town of Sutrio.
Pornography weakens the soul, pope tells young priests, seminarians October 26, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News After telling a funny story about receiving a cellphone decades ago that was “as big as a shoe,” Pope Francis went on to encourage young priests and seminarians to use technology and social media, but to avoid pornography at all costs.
Cries for peace can’t be ignored, pope says at interreligious meeting October 25, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, Vatican, World News Standing in front of an ancient symbol of violent battles, Pope Francis and religious leaders from around the world echoed “the cry for peace” of people suffering the impact of conflicts around the world, but especially in Ukraine.
Pope: Church’s concern for the family goes beyond focus on couples October 24, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, Vatican, World News The importance of the family for the Catholic Church and for society means that theological reflection on family life and pastoral responses to the joys and problems of families must focus on more than the relationship between a husband and wife, Pope Francis said.
Ukraine dominates annual interreligious prayer for peace meeting October 24, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News The international community must work for peace, and believers of all faiths must pray for it, but pressuring Ukraine to make peace with Russia would be to “consecrate the law of the strongest,” French President Emmanuel Macron told religious leaders meeting in Rome.
Thinking you are holier than others is form of self-worship, pope says October 24, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News “Spiritual arrogance” — thinking one is holier or better than others — is a temptation everyone faces and is a form of self-worship, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Seeing God at work in small things helps one recognize God’s call October 19, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Reviewing one’s life is an essential step in discerning God’s call because it helps one see places where God was at work, even in small things, and also helps one recognize “toxic” thoughts of self-doubt, Pope Francis said.
Vatican Museums repatriates mummies to Peru October 19, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Completing a project to repatriate human remains held in the Vatican Museums’ ethnological collection, the Vatican and the government of Peru signed an agreement Oct. 17 to return to Peru three mummies sent to the Vatican in 1925.
Pope asks Communion and Liberation to let founder’s vision grow October 17, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News While many Catholic movements go through a period of confusion after their founder dies, the key to continued flourishing is to remember with gratitude the founder’s gifts and to be open to new ways or new places the Holy Spirit wants them to grow, Pope Francis told members of Communion and Liberation.