International

Crises are signs that church is still alive, pope says

Difficulties and crises within the Catholic Church are not signs of a church in decline but one that is alive and living through challenges, just like men and women today, Pope Francis said. “Let us remember that the church always has difficulties, always is in crisis, because she’s alive. Living things go through crises. Only the […]

Benedict XVI laments lack of faith in German Catholic officialdom

In a rare lengthy interview with a German newspaper, retired pope Benedict XVI reflected on his 70 years as a priest and lamented what he said is an increasing institutionalization of the Catholic Church in Germany, making it a functional entity rather than the living body of Christ. In written responses to German magazine Herder […]

Congo’s bishops want an end to attacks on Catholic Church, its leaders

Catholic bishops in Congo called for an end to attacks on the church and its leaders, acts they believe are linked to the church’s persistent call for democracy and national cohesion. The bishops said the Archdiocese of Kinshasa has been targeted as well as places of worship — including parishes, Marian grottoes, altars and sanctuaries […]

There’s a religious revival going on in China

The Chinese government has promoted a revival of Confucianism, along with traditional religious practices, as part of its nationalist agenda. The Chinese Communist Party is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1921. For most of those decades, the party sought to restrict or obliterate traditional religious practices, which it considered part of China’s […]

Catholics see challenging balance in Simone Biles’ decisions at Olympics

When Simone Biles, described as the world’s greatest gymnast, announced July 27 she would not be competing in a team event with the U.S. women’s Olympics gymnastics team and the next day withdrew from the all-around final, many people were shocked, but many supported her decision to prioritize her mental health. Counsellors and spiritual directors […]

Vatican publishes schedule for papal trip to Hungary, Slovakia

Pope Francis’ September trip to Hungary and Slovakia features a jam-packed schedule that shows he has no intention of slowing down despite his recent recovery from colon surgery. The Vatican July 21 released the pope’s schedule for the trip Sept. 12-15, including the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest.” The Pope announced […]

Olympics, religion played a starring role

In the early days of the Olympics, religion played a starring role. Faith leaders had front-row seats to the events and many athletes dedicated their triumphs to the gods. “Even the prizes were religious — crowns of olive leaves made from trees in a sacred grove dedicated to Zeus,” Religion News Service reported in 2016. Religion still […]

‘Enough is enough’ of how Cuba treats its people, Bishop Cruz says at vigil

Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, a Cuban-American and an auxiliary of the Newark Archdiocese, told the congregation at a West New York Catholic church that “the hour has come to say ‘ENOUGH.’” “Our people, the Cuban people, helpless as they are, are being massacred by the tyranny of the Cuban regime. Today we say ‘enough is […]

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Youth taught to use social media to become Good Samaritans

Pakistan’s oldest priest passes away at 97