Faith leaders say refugees from Syria, elsewhere require compassion, acceptance
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Boston cardinal and the Maryland Catholic Conference were among hundreds of faith leaders who called for compassion in addressing the world refugee crisis and stressed the importance of developing a national immigration policy based on humanitarian need.
Pope condemns Mali attacks, calls for acts of kindness in broken world
The pope also asked people to pray for his first visit to Africa, Nov. 25-30, that it be "a sign of closeness and love."
Year of Mercy begins Dec. 8
Phoenix are focusing on what it means for the faithful and how the year will be celebrated. The pope has asked that all dioceses around the world designate a “Door of Mercy” at their cathedral or another special church or shrine, and that every diocese implement the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative on the Friday and Saturday before the fourth week of Lent.
Laity, religious gather on All Saints Day to celebrate vocations
Those already in religious life are almost always are part of communities who follow a canonized saint, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said during an All Saints Day vocations celebration.
Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops’ Statement on Syrian Refugees
In the wake of the tragic loss of innocent life taken by terrorist actions in Paris, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) understand the increasing hesitation on the part of our government and American citizens to receive Syrian refugees into the United States.
God is mercy: Holy Year affirms belief Christians, Muslims, Jews share
In his official proclamation of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis noted that the Christian profession of faith in God's mercy "relates us to Judaism and Islam, both of which consider mercy to be one of God's most important attributes."
U.S. bishops approve statement that calls pornography ‘mortal sin’
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops approved a statement on pornography on the second day of their Nov. 16-19 fall general meeting in Baltimore. “Producing or using pornography is a mortal sin that needs to be confessed in order for the person to receive God’s forgiveness,” says the draft version of “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography.” “Those who produce and distribute pornography harm the common good by encouraging and even causing others to sin,” it says.
God never shuts the door; church always must be open, too, pope says
The pope dedicated his catechesis to the symbol of the Holy Door, which will be opened at St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 8 to mark the start of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.
Bishop disturbed by calls to end resettlement of Syrian refugees in U.S.
"These refugees are fleeing terror themselves — violence like we have witnessed in Paris," said Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the migration committee for the U.S. bishops.
Carmelite Missionary Sisters establish novitiate at Scottsdale parish
A mini vocation boom of sorts at St. Daniel Parish saw the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of the Child of Jesus convent welcome a novice, a formator and temporarily, a woman in the early stages of discernment.
