Vatican says general absolution still permissible during pandemic
Offering general absolution to the faithful without having them personally confess their sins first may still be done in places seeing serious or increasing levels of coronavirus infections, a Vatican official said.
Kansas Catholics recall priest’s wartime ministry, heroism in POW camp
William Hansen kept his silence for over 50 years about being one of the POWs who buried Father Emil Kapaun's body after the priest died May 23, 1951.
Detroit-area Chaldean Catholics call pope’s Iraq trip ‘beautiful to see’
Metro Detroit's Chaldean Catholic community hopes Pope Francis' recently completed pastoral visit to Iraq strengthens and restores some of the oldest Christian communities in the world.
Vatican official concerned by populist leaders ‘hijacking’ religion
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, head of the Vatican's evangelization congregation, has expressed concern over the "hijacking" of religion by populist leaders who sow division and exploit the anger of those who feel excluded.
Iraq visit was ‘sign of hope’ for suffering people, pope says
Despite years of suffering due to war and terrorism, the people of Iraq continue to look to the future with hope, Pope Francis said.
Woman religious honored as one of International Women of Courage
Comboni Sister Alicia Vacas Moro, a Spanish missionary sister and registered nurse, was one of 14 women to receive this year's International Women of Courage Award, an annual honor from the U.S. Department of State for women who have demonstrated leadership in their human rights work.
USCCB Administrative Committee’s pastoral message marks year of pandemic
U.S. life has "dramatically changed" due to the yearlong pandemic, and alongside it, racial injustices and political divisions have shaken the nation, yet there is "comfort in God's promise," the U.S. bishops' Administrative Committee said in a March 9 pastoral message.
Australian priest: More homeless in Hong Kong than he’s seen in 36 years
Oblate Father John Wotherspoon loves McDonald's restaurants, and it's not because of the fries.
Faith amid the ruins: Pope calls Iraqis to affirm kinship under one God
Pope Francis summarized his "pilgrimage of faith and penitence" to Iraq in a prayer: "If God is the God of life -- for so he is -- then it is wrong for us to kill our brothers and sisters in his name. If God is the God of peace -- for so he is -- then it is wrong for us to wage war in his name. If God is the God of love -- for so he is -- then it is wrong for us to hate our brothers and sisters."
Doctors seek permanent relief from mandate to do transgender surgeries
Attorneys for doctors and hospitals argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit March 3 that they shouldn't be forced to perform gender-transition surgeries required under the Affordable Care Act, stressing this is an issue of conscience.
