Violence worries church leaders, but tourists buoy Bethlehem residents December 13, 2022By Judith Sudilovksy Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, World News Despite an uptick in violence between the Israeli army and Palestinians in the northern West Bank, the pre-Christmas atmosphere in Bethlehem was festive and optimistic and, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethlehem hotels reported near full capacity during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Pope praises firefighters’ service, dedication December 12, 2022By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis offered a little prayer for firefighters: “Lord, let them not have work.”
Physical vulnerability can be a resource for society, the church, pope says December 12, 2022By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Christians working with people who have a physical disability must be motivated by a sense of solidarity, not pity, and they should promote people’s active participation, not their passive reception of assistance, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Antisemitism shows need for Christian-Jewish understanding December 12, 2022By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Decrying what he described as “hostile times” when antisemitism and violence against Christians are on the rise, Pope Francis said a renewed commitment to Catholic-Jewish dialogue is needed.
Pope is asking governments to grant clemency to prisoners at Christmas December 12, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis is writing to all the heads of state around the world, asking them to consider granting some prisoners clemency at Christmas.
Pope asks seminarians to be joyful, but realistic December 12, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, Vocations, World News Preparing for the priesthood, seminarians must remember both the joy of being called by God and the real sacrifices they will be called to make, Pope Francis told young men preparing for the priesthood at the seminary of Barcelona, Spain.
Doubt can be a step toward deeper faith, pope says December 12, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Even the most fervent believers go through moments of doubt and questioning about God, and it is a good thing, Pope Francis said, because it helps one see that God does not fit into the little box people make for him.
Mother shares her story of finding God after tragic Sandy Hook shooting December 11, 2022By Karen A. Avitabile Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News It was after receiving a Bible in the mail that Jennifer Hubbard began to understand her own purpose, grace and healing.
Dobbs decision dominates Supreme Court’s year December 10, 2022By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, Supreme Court, World News Although they were pleased with the Dobbs outcome, Catholic leaders acknowledged then and months later that the decision didn’t lessen the urgency for the church in its pro-life advocacy efforts.
After vote, House sends Respect for Marriage Act to Biden for signature December 9, 2022By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, U.S. Congress, World News By a vote of 258-169, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act Dec. 8 and sent it to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Church must take seriously the problems, needs of workers, pope says December 9, 2022By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Social Justice, Vatican, World News All workers should feel welcomed by the church and know that their needs and problems are taken seriously, Pope Francis said.
Gomez: Virgin of Guadalupe ‘leads us to Jesus,’ who shows way to peace December 9, 2022By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, News, World News Our Lady of Guadalupe “always leads us to Jesus, who will show us the way to find peace,” Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles said Dec. 4.
