Molokai’s leprosy settlements — the ‘ohana’ of two Catholic saints — faces historic transition December 26, 2023By Naomi Klouda OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News One of the last remaining leprosy settlements in the U.S., on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, testifies to St. Damien’s care as eight remaining patient-residents live out their lives.
Catholic experts say rule to let franchise employees join unions would be major labor advance December 26, 2023By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Social Justice, World News If a new federal labor ruling goes into effect in late February, millions of franchise employees and contractors will find it easier to form or join unions
At Christmas, God shows love through ‘littleness,’ not power, pope says December 24, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News More than two millennia after the Holy Family was denied a room at the inn and Jesus was born in a manger, war once again renders his birthplace in the Holy Land inhospitable, Pope Francis said.
Woman says rosary made of tornado debris is ‘beautiful because God loves broken things’ December 24, 2023By Elizabeth Wong Barnstead OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, Feature, News, World News With the encouragement and support of her pastor, Father Michael Stalla, Cassandra Falcone delved into the world of rosary-making.
Welcome Jesus into the manger of your heart, papal preacher says December 22, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The first step toward keeping Christ in Christmas is for Christians to make room for him in their hearts, the preacher of the papal household told Pope Francis and top Vatican officials.
Catholic leaders say church must vocally advocate for migrants amid increasing hostility December 22, 2023By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Amid increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric and sentiment, the Catholic Church must remain vocal in its ministry to and advocacy for migrants, Catholic leaders said at a Dec. 21 panel.
Washington Roundup: Justices disqualify Trump; Harris’ abortion tour; no Ukraine Christmas deal December 22, 2023By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, News, Respect Life, U.S. Congress, World News The Colorado Supreme Court on Dec. 19 found former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution and removed him from the state’s presidential primary ballot, setting up a likely review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. bishops issue flurry of responses to Vatican blessings document December 22, 2023By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, Vatican, World News Following the Dec. 18 release of the Holy See’s declaration permitting blessings of those in irregular relationships, and the ensuing reaction from media and Catholics around the country, U.S. bishops have been responding with their own statements supporting and/or clarifying the document, known as “Fiducia Supplicans.”
Pope tells Rome priests: Blessings don’t affect sacrament of marriage December 22, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican’s recently published guidance on administering blessings to same-sex couples or other unmarried couples does not affect the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage, Pope Francis said.
Prague archbishop expresses ‘deep sorrow’ after mass shooting at university December 22, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Fourteen people were killed and another 25 injured in a Dec. 21 shooting at a university in Prague.
Catholic climate activists concerned COP28’s modest steps will fall short December 22, 2023By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, World News Catholic climate advocates — responding to the urgent call of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”) for immediate and extraordinary changes to avert a climate crisis — are concerned that COP28’s outcomes, while promising, may become “too little, too late” if nations do not muster the resolve to implement them.
Despite difficult Christmas season in Bethlehem devoid of tourists, local Christians have hope December 21, 2023By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, World News Now, the streets of Bethlehem — normally filled with pilgrims at this time of the year — are empty, and many stores and restaurants dependent on tourism are closed.
