Message of Guadalupe based in simplicity, not ideology, pope says December 12, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The iconic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has become a cultural and spiritual symbol for Latin America, cannot be used to promote any kind of ideology, but must maintain its message of simple love, Pope Francis said.
Judge orders protesters who block abortion clinics to abide by New York buffer zone December 12, 2023By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Red Rose Rescue, the small Michigan-based group that has conducted blockades of abortion clinics in Michigan, New York and Virginia since 2017, was ordered Dec. 8 to abide by a new restriction on clinic access covering 13 counties in New York.
Priest: Gaza Christians suffer much as Israeli strikes on strip continue but aren’t losing hope December 12, 2023By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As the humanitarian crisis escalates in Gaza — amid tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered near Gaza’s border with Egypt, attempting to flee, and a health care system on the verge of collapsing — a Gaza priest warned that Christians in Gaza are suffering a lot.
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.
Plenary indulgence available for 800th anniversary of first Nativity scene December 12, 2023By Adriana Montes Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, Local News, News Catholics will have the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence from Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Feb. 2, 2024, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple.
Preventing the nightmare before Christmas December 12, 2023By Lisa Popcak OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary This isn’t intended to be a long lecture of dos and don’ts, but rather guideposts to help the children over the next few weeks.
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: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, 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.
Monsignor Collins, noted for dedication to marriage tribunal, dies at 88 December 11, 2023By Gerry Jackson Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Monsignor William “Bill” Collins, a Baltimore native who served his home archdiocese for more than six decades, died of lung cancer Dec. 10 at St. Stephen’s Green. He was 88.
