Author Archive: Catholic News Service
Catholic News Service, serving since 1920 as a news agency specializing in reporting religion, is the primary source of national and world news that appears in the U.S. Catholic press. It is also a leading source of news for Catholic print and broadcast media throughout the world.
Catholic organizations among those helping Oklahoma tornado victims
The Knights of Columbus, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City are among the charitable agencies collecting donations and providing emergency services to help victims of a string of tornadoes that buffeted areas of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City May 19-20.
Vatican financial investigator says laws, roles will be strengthened
The director of the Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority said the Vatican will further amend its finance-related laws in the coming months, increase screening of account holders at the Vatican bank and continue assessing the potential risk that accounts could be used for money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Judiciary Committee approval moves immigration bill on to full Senate
Advocates for comprehensive immigration reform expressed optimism and hope for a law to pass this summer after the Senate Judiciary Committee May 21 finished wading through 300 proposed amendments — accepting about a third of them — and passed the massive bill on to the full Senate.
Selfishness is a downer, proclaiming Christ brings joy, pope says
Selfishness only brings sadness and bitterness, while stepping outside of oneself to evangelize is the ultimate “pick me up” and source of joy, Pope Francis said.
Bishop Pates urges public discussion of U.S. use of drones
The United States’ use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to hunt down suspected terrorists deserves a wide-scale public discussion, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Tornadoes exact deadly toll in Oklahoma
Even after the initial death toll was cut by more than half, the human and material devastation of a string of tornadoes that buffeted areas of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City May 19-20 was incalculable.
Chaldean patriarch warns surge in Iraqi violence will divide country
The patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad denounced a recent series of car bombings and shootings in Iraqi cities that left at least 54 people dead and dozens more injured.
Syriac bishop: Extremism jeopardizes Syrian Christians’ safety
Growing extremism in Syria could jeopardize the safety of all Christians, said Syriac Catholic Bishop Gregoire Melki of Jerusalem. “It is a very sad situation and we are really anxious,” he told Catholic News Service May 18, following a special prayer service in Jerusalem. “We are very anxious when we remember what happened to the Christians in Iraq. We fear the same thing will happen to the Christians in Syria.
Pope prays for victims of Oklahoma tornado
As the death toll rose from the massive tornado that struck near Oklahoma City May 20, Pope Francis offered a special prayer for the victims during his early morning Mass May 21 and later offered his condolences through his Twitter account.
Pope Francis shares personal stories of his faith at Pentecost vigil
With humor and passion, Pope Francis shared highlights of his personal faith journey and explained some key points of his teaching to an enthusiastic crowd of representatives from Catholic lay movements.
