‘We were here’ — health care chaplains reflect on COVID-19 ministry March 10, 2021By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Video, World News As the coronavirus pandemic swept the nation this past year, hospital chaplains — already accustomed to helping people cope with sickness and death — found their ministries took on added significance.
Vandalism on Ohio basilica grounds prompts sorrow, forgiveness for perpetrator March 10, 2021By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Two days after the desecration of 16 statues on the grounds of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Youngstown, parishioners who were gathered for Mass Feb. 28 expressed deep sorrow but also forgiveness for the perpetrator.
Doctors seek permanent relief from mandate to do transgender surgeries March 9, 2021By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Attorneys for doctors and hospitals argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit March 3 that they shouldn’t be forced to perform gender-transition surgeries required under the Affordable Care Act, stressing this is an issue of conscience.
Americans’ mental health needs grow dramatically amid pandemic March 8, 2021By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The coronavirus pandemic has taken an emotional toll on Americans, with mental health professionals reporting they are getting more requests for assistance from people feeling helpless and experiencing anxiety and depression.
Returning from Iraq, pope talks about ‘risks’ taken on trip March 8, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, Vatican, Video, World News The Catholic Church’s commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.
Cleanse your hearts of anger, live the Gospel, pope says at Mass in Irbil March 7, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, World News Having witnessed or even experienced persecution for their faith, the Christians of Iraq must be careful not to harbor thoughts of revenge, Pope Francis told them.
Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, pope says March 7, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, World News Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.
Living the beatitudes can change the world, pope says in Iraq March 6, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, Vatican, World News Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians that when they suffer discrimination, persecution or war, the Eight Beatitudes are addressed to them.
Hostility, violence are ‘betrayals’ of religion, pope says in Iraq March 6, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, Vatican, Video, World News Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.
Pope, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect March 6, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, Vatican, World News In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.
Remains of Father Emil Kapaun, Korean War military chaplain, identified March 6, 2021By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News A U.S. government forensic team announced March 4 it has identified the remains of Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, who was an Army chaplain and died in a Chinese prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War.
Pope: Honor martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq March 5, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Pope Francis in Iraq, Vatican, World News Visiting a Baghdad cathedral “hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters” murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good.