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.
Pope praises Filipino Catholics as joyful witnesses of the Gospel
The joy of the Gospel has been an integral part of the Filipino identity since the arrival of Christianity in the Southeast Asian country five centuries ago, Pope Francis said.
American Rescue Plan praised for helping ‘the most vulnerable among us’
The American Rescue Plan is "an extraordinarily practical way to help the American people, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said in a statement March 11, the same day President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package into law.
Vatican plans expenditure cuts for 2021 without hurting jobs, mission
Revenue shortfalls and a current budget deficit require increased efficiency, transparency and creativity while working to continue to fully carry out the mission of the universal church, said the head of the Vatican's economic office.
‘Human fraternity’ includes citizenship rights for all, cardinal says
Pope Francis' focus on "human fraternity" does not aim simply at promoting tolerance among different religions and ethnic groups but ultimately pushes for a recognition of the full citizenship rights of all minorities, said Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Pope to confessors: Be fathers, brothers who offer consolation, mercy
Every confessor should understand he is a sinner, forgiven by God, and he is there to offer his brothers and sisters -- sinners, too -- the same divine mercy and forgiveness he has received, Pope Francis said.
Jesus wasn’t just good, he is God, papal preacher says
Plenty of non-Christians believe that Jesus was a real person and that what he taught can make the world a better place, but what makes a person a Christian is believing that Jesus is God, said the preacher of the papal household.
Speaker: Pandemic shines light on inequities driving human trafficking
The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on "overlapping inequalities" in society around the globe, said Good Shepherd Sister Winifred Doherty.
Pandemic has presented challenges to provide special education
When the World Health Organization declared a global COVID-19 pandemic March 11, 2020, the world shuddered, then shuttered.
Catholic, other faith groups applaud decision to grant Venezuelans TPS
Pro-immigrant groups applauded a March 8 decision by the Biden administration to protect some 320,000 Venezuelans in the United States under a temporary immigration program.
