Marking the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclical on Christian unity, Pope Francis said he shares “the healthy impatience” of those who think more can and should be done, but he also insisted that Christians must be grateful for the progress made.
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Bishop reminds seafarers they are ‘not forgotten’ even amid pandemic
The bishop, directing his prayer to the maritime workers, urged them to “know that you are not forgotten, know of our love for you each and every day.”
Pandemic has changed parish outreach methods ‘forever,’ says evangelist
During two months of social isolation, the work of American business has migrated, ready or not, into the home.
Catholic leaders decry prisoners’ exposure to COVID-19 during pandemic
A May 19 statement by 14 Catholic leaders, including five bishops, decried the danger people in prison are exposed to during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sporting event shows values needed in pandemic aftermath, pope says
Sports can offer a unique witness of unity that can build a “bridge of peace” between men and women of different religions and cultures and promote solidarity, Pope Francis said.
Father Adolfo Nicolas, former Jesuit superior, dies in Tokyo
The Jesuit General Curia in Rome announced that its former superior general, Father Adolfo Nicolas, died May 20 in Tokyo. He was 84.
Minnesota bishops not waiting for governor, resuming larger Masses May 26
Minnesota’s bishops are moving ahead with plans to resume Masses at one-third church capacity May 26, a plan that defies current state directives limiting faith-based gatherings to 10 or fewer people.
Death penalty opponents decry first execution carried out amid pandemic
Catholic advocates against the death penalty spoke out against Missouri’s May 19 execution of a death-row inmate, Walter Barton, whose death by lethal injection was the first execution to happen during the pandemic.
Vatican listens to ‘cry of poor, cry of the Earth’ during pandemic
Pope Francis’ vision of “integral human development” and “integral ecology” involves identifying the connections between the condition of human beings and the condition of the environment, said Cardinal Peter Turkson.
St. John Paul was a good shepherd, pope says on saint’s birthday
St. John Paul II was a man of deep prayer, who loved being close to people and loved God’s justice and mercy, Pope Francis said.
New emergency aid bill aims to cut most benefits to Catholic schools
Catholic leaders expressed deep reservations about a new $3 trillion tax cut and spending bill in response to the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic that would restrict support for Catholic school students.
Fauci to Jesuit high school graduates: ‘We will get through this’
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is used to addressing the country about steps to contain the coronavirus, but in mid-May he spoke directly to graduates of the nation’s 60 Jesuit high schools with words of encouragement and congratulations.