When the Alabama Supreme Court recently recognized the personhood of embryos, it gave legal standing to something the church has clearly established: An embryo is a human being and should be treated with the dignity and rights due to all people, especially the most vulnerable who cannot speak for themselves.
World News
What is love? U.S. bishops’ new initiative offers ‘clarity’ for the culture’s questions
“Love Means More,” a new teaching initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has a statement of purpose, a website and a promise to keep building the website to provide answers on a wide variety of questions about Catholic teaching on love, sexuality and marriage.
Catholics must have religious liberty to ‘meet migrants’ basic human needs,’ bishops say
The ability of Catholic and other faith-based groups to “meet migrants’ basic human needs” at the U.S.-Mexico border is a religious liberty issue and must be defended, U.S. bishops said in recent statements.
Pope cancels another day of meetings because of flu symptoms
Saying Pope Francis was continuing to experience “mild flu-like symptoms,” the Vatican announced he had canceled his appointments again Feb. 26.
U.S. sociologist who has studied parishes, Catholic movements, women’s ministry looks forward to synod role
Sociologist Tricia C. Bruce has dedicated her career to trying to understand American Catholics’ attitudes and behavior. She will draw on that experience in her new role as a consultor to the General Secretariat of the Synod, which she expects to include listening to diverse voices and considering broad questions, she said.
Organizations, church officials urge migration crisis to be approached with human dignity
Instead of hyper-politicizing the border, officials should find humane and workable solutions that can protect the dignity and human rights of migrants, said experts who work with migrants at the border during a Feb. 21 webinar.
Vatican theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees focuses on ‘journey’
The Catholic Church’s focus for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 highlights its need to walk alongside displaced persons and to convey to them God’s presence and guidance along their paths, the Vatican said.
3 years after drug decriminalization, Oregon now faces a state of emergency
But three years later, a nationwide surge in fentanyl use has collided with Measure 110’s legalized tolerance to create a perfect storm of overburdened social services, policing and community dynamics.
Bernini’s baldachin masterpiece disappears from public view until Holy Year
Like a giant Tinkertoy construction, a skeletal tower of scaffolding slowly inched its way up the twisting bronze columns of the baldachin over the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican aims to draw young ‘digital pilgrims’ to Rome’s papal basilicas
The Vatican is seeking to draw pilgrims to the four historic papal basilicas scattered around Rome — not physically, but virtually, through a website and podcast aimed at drawing young people into the spiritual depth of Rome’s sacred spaces.
Subject of a new film, Mother Cabrini left native Italy to serve U.S. immigrants
Mother Cabrini is the subject of “Cabrini,” a new film from Angel Studios directed by Alejandro Monteverde scheduled for nationwide release March 8.
How a shy Irish farm boy turned Florida pastor led his parish to change countless lives in Uganda
A shy Irish farm boy taught to be open to God’s gifts and opportunities in every harvest, egg clutch and milk bucket courageously responded yes to God’s call to priesthood.