Pope names two U.S. cardinals, Altoona bishop to Vatican supreme court
Pope Francis has named U.S. Cardinals Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, and James M. Harvey, archpriest of Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, to be members of the Vatican's supreme court.
Pope advances sainthood causes, including martyred Polish nuns
Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 10 nuns who were brutally murdered by Soviet soldiers in Poland at the end of World War II and declared venerable Robert Schuman, who is considered one of the founding fathers of European unity.
Permanent deacons are reminder of the power of service, pope says
A permanent deacon whose ministry is focused on service to the poor and hurting is an antidote to clericalism within the church because it illustrates that "to love is to serve and to serve is to reign," Pope Francis said.
Bishops OK developing plan for Native Americans, Alaska Natives
U.S. bishops have authorized development of a new formal statement and comprehensive vision for Native American and Alaskan Native ministry, since the last one approved was over 40 years ago.
Bishops discuss developing national pastoral on youth, young adults
In a June 17 presentation to the U.S. bishops at their annual spring assembly, which was virtual again this year, Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns announced a proposal to develop a new national pastoral framework on accompanying youths and young adults in the church.
Bishops vote to draft teaching document on the Eucharist
The U.S. bishops approved by a wide margin a plan to draft a document to examine the "meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the church" following a lengthy debate during their spring general assembly.
Priest sees lack of health, wholeness as cause of strife in nation, church
Division in the nation and in the church is not about hate or immorality, but about a lack of health and wholeness, said a priest who has ministered among Los Angeles gang members for over 30 years.
‘Receive the gifts you are,’ forum keynoter tells young Catholic women
Sister Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life opened the first day of the GIVEN Institute's annual Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum with a keynote titled "Casting the Vision," a reflection of her work in GIVEN and a strong reference to the concept of the entire forum.
Ruling seen as victory for children, foster parents and religious liberty
As a consequence of the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous ruling June 17 in Fulton v. Philadelphia, faith-based and other agencies across the country may not be forced by a government agency to violate their deeply held beliefs against placing children in households led by same-sex or cohabitating adults.
Two U.S. sainthood candidates’ causes get big OK from U.S. bishops
The U.S. bishops gave their go-ahead to two dioceses to continue their efforts to make their case for a priest and a brother to be considered for sainthood.
