After Afghanistan withdrawal, pope denounces attempts to impose democracy
In his first interview since undergoing surgery in July, Pope Francis criticized Western attempts to impose democracy on other countries in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan.
As U.S. presence in Afghanistan ends, Catholics call to welcome refugees
As Aug. 30 ended in the U.S. and a new day began in a different time zone in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 31, 2021, the U.S. Central Command released a green-tinted photo of a soldier about to get on a cargo plane, a photographic coda to seal the historic moment that put an end to nearly two decades of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
Laywoman assumes high position at Vatican’s Latin America commission
Pope Francis appointed Argentine theologian Emilce Cuda as the new head of office of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a position she assumes Sept. 1. A laywoman and mother of two, Cuda will work with the new secretary, Rodrigo Guerra López, a Mexican philosophy professor and also a layman.
Mexican bishops express solidarity with migrants as caravan is disrupted
Mexican church leaders expressed solidarity with a caravan of migrants that was disrupted by security forces. Their reaction came after nationwide outrage about videos that surfaced showing an immigration agent kicking a migrant in the head.
Not all ‘eventualities’ considered in Afghanistan withdrawal, pope says
The chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan was due in part to a lack of foreseeing all possible eventualities, Pope Francis said in a new interview.
Ss. Simon and Jude School’s ‘rock’ marks 50 years as principal
For Sr. Raphael Quinn, her love for children and teaching is reflected in her 50 years of service as the Cathedral school principal.
Dioceses emerge from Hurricane Ida’s wrath as others prepare to help
Catholic Charities in and around the areas of Louisiana and Mississippi affected by Hurricane Ida -- one of the most powerful storms to hit the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 -- are collecting donations as they prepare to help with the yet-unknown damage caused by the late August storm.
Religious minorities, women fear Afghanistan’s Taliban, other extremists
The 20-year American military presence in Afghanistan had hoped to bring stability and an end to its use as a terrorist sanctuary, but the tumultuous exit has laid open fears for the future, particularly for religious minorities and women, at the hands of the Taliban and other religious extremists.
Catholic women’s group praised for witness of faith in challenging times
At a national gathering marking the 100th anniversary of the National Council of Catholic Women, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory thanked the women for their years of dedication to the Catholic Church.
Pope sets new norms for priests providing prayer services at basilica
Pope Francis has approved a brief set of new norms for the Chapter of St. Peter's Basilica -- whose priest-members provide liturgical and pastoral service in the basilica -- that will only be in effect for one year while its statutes are being revised.
