Church embraces, cares for those seeking ‘home,’ safety, pope says October 16, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church is open and maternal to everyone, especially migrants, seeking a home and safe harbor, Pope Francis said.
Jerusalem cardinal offers himself in exchange for Israeli hostages October 16, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church’s highest ranking prelate in the Holy Land offered his “absolute availability” to be exchanged for Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas.
St. Thérèse teaches simplicity, love, trust, pope says in document October 16, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, Vatican, World News St. Thérèse of Lisieux, long one of Pope Francis’ favorite saints, teaches Christians “the little way” of love, self-giving, concern for others and complete trust in the mercy of God, the pope said in a new document.
Synod focus on ‘inclusion’ key for people with disabilities, member says October 16, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News In many places in the world, including in Rome, people with disabilities cannot enter Catholic churches because of the architectural barriers, but even when they do, “we are not asked anything and we are not asked to participate either,” said Enrique Alarcón García.
Despite prejudices, many Catholics helped rescue Jews in Nazi-occupied Italy October 15, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Generosity and compassion for those fleeing persecution prevailed over racial laws and centuries-old anti-Semitic prejudices in Nazi-occupied Italy, some Jewish and Catholic historians said at an international conference.
Study, not blame or shame, needed with pope’s wartime record, scholar says October 14, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The era of divisive debate about Pope Pius XII has been left behind, and now Catholics and Jews, historians and theologians must take up serious and collaborative study, said the co-organizer of a major conference looking at the early results of new research into the wartime pontificate.
Synod looks at Catholics’ shared mission, but also exclusion of women October 13, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The life of women in the Catholic Church “is full of scars” and alternating experiences of being encouraged or rejected, the president of Latin America’s religious superiors told members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
Synod is “new Pentecost” that will renew the church, cardinal says October 13, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The synod on synodality is the “new Pentecost,” which will renew active participation of all Catholics in the life and mission of their church, a cardinal said.
Synod elects members to oversee synthesis report October 12, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Synodality, Vatican, World News With 364 members and dozens of special guests having the right to speak at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops, accurately synthesizing the discussion will be a major undertaking.
Synod guest shares how process reduces anger, builds community October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Luca Casarini, a longtime and well-known Italian activist, is a special guest at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops; he’s encouraged to speak, but has no vote. And he said he is learning a lot.
Pope condemns terrorism, expresses concern for civilians October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel and pleaded with the militants to free their hostages unharmed, but he also expressed concern about Israel’s tightening siege on Gaza and its impact on innocent civilians.
Love, forgiveness liberate, break cycles of violence, pope says October 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, Vatican, World News The life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave from Sudan who became a nun, demonstrates how love liberates people from oppression and frees them to forgive their oppressors and break cycles of hatred and violence, Pope Francis said.
