Catholics must become ‘intentional disciples,’ revitalize Church Waddell says at leadership conference

Sherry Weddell stood before a hall packed with 500 local Catholic leaders and issued a challenge. “What if you set out to double the number of intentional disciples in five years? What if you set out to make your parish a center of evangelization and discipleship?” Weddell queried the group.

Exorcisms for entertainment? Terrible idea, St. Louis archdiocese tells cable network

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (CNA/EWTN News) — A television show’s promise of a live exorcism rite is more dangerous than it thinks, the Archdiocese of St. Louis warned.

Catholic agencies have long forged relationships with new House speaker

WASHINGTON (CNS) — With his election as speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Paul Ryan may have taken the most difficult job in American politics. The Wisconsin Republican is faced with keeping his party’s conference unified as he takes a position that places him third in line for the presidency. He has vowed to change business-as-usual in the House by building broad consensus for legislation and pledged to eschew last-minute, closed-door deals.

New interfaith gathering offers prayers for peace in Jerusalem

As dusk fell over the Old City, a group of 60 Christians and Jews and one Muslim gathered at the entrance of the Jaffa Gate for what they hope will become a monthly event of public prayer for peace.

China announces it will change its policy, allow all families 2 children

The Chinese government imposed its one-child policy in 1979 to curb the growth of the population that, at that time, was reaching 972 million people with some families in rural areas since then required to apply to have a second child if the first child was a girl.

Lay witness offers perspectives on exploring gay identity

Rilene Simpson spoke at length about a topic that’s often hushed in Catholic circles: exploring the gay identity. What’s more, some 120 priests, deacons, women religious and other lay parish leaders packed into a conference room at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Oct. 21 to hear it. Simpson was once in a long-term lesbian partnership as an atheist and has since converted to Catholicism and a life of celibacy. She intertwined her testimony with a series of headline stories pertaining to gender identity.

World expects believers to work together for peace, pope says

Religions don't have a special "recipe" to solve world problems of peace, hunger, poverty and other crises, Pope Francis said, "but we have a great resource," the treasure of prayer.

New Mexico priest, seminarians soup up car for vocations

GALLUP, New Mexico (CNA/EWTN News) — Fr. Matthew Keller has always been kind of a car guy. “Actually, a lot of a car guy,” he told CNA, laughing. He went to technical school as a teenager — “vocational school, funny enough” — and has worked on cars with his dad and brother-in-law since he was young.

Catholic healthcare professionals unite for encouragement, inspiration at White Mass

Catholic health care professionals not only work to heal mental and physical health, they’re also devoted to the spiritual welfare of their patients. It’s a message Catholic healthcare workers unite around annually at the White Mass, celebrated in October, near the feast of St. Luke, patron saint of physicians and named for the color typically worn by healthcare professionals.

‘Truth overruled’ author highlights way forward for secular marriage debate

Charitably defending a stance on a hot-button issue is not always easy. That’s even more true when it comes to homosexuality. Some 120 Catholic priests, deacons, religious and lay leaders left a “Day of Understanding” seminar at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Oct. 21 with practical tips for sharing the truth about love, marriage and homosexuality.