Secrecy of confession must never be violated, Vatican says
“The priest, in fact, comes to know of the sins of the penitent ‘non ut homo sed ut Deus’ — not as a man, but as God — to the point that he simply ‘does not know’ what was said in the confessional because he did not listen as a man, but precisely in the name of God,” the Vatican document said.
Eastern light: Transitional deacon shares Maronite tradition at Rome seminary
ROME (CNS) — Ancient tones of Syriac chant, columns of incense, ornate oriental vestments and bearded clerics filled the chapel of the Pontifical North American College in early June, creating a rare Middle Eastern atmosphere in the heart of the U.S. Church’s flagship seminary in Rome.
Christian community a place of welcome, solidarity, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To be part of a Christian community is to belong to a group of believers who shun selfishness and give witness to God’s love by loving and caring for one another, Pope Francis said.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit embolden us to stand for Christ
Today, nearly 2,000 years later, we’re still living in the glow of that glorious moment when the Holy Spirit rushed upon the Apostles, emboldening them to carry the Gospel to all nations.
Paris archbishop celebrates first Mass in Notre Dame since fire
The Mass marked the anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral’s altar.
Bishops affirm diocese’s effort for Michigan grandfather’s sainthood cause
BALTIMORE (CNS) — The U.S. bishops, after being consulted about the sainthood cause of a man who, except for service in World War II, spent his life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, gave vocal assent June 12 for the Diocese of Marquette to continue to pursue the cause.
Cardinal DiNardo calls bishops to be trustworthy like Barnabas
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston compared the early church missions of Barnabas and Paul to the modern-era mission of restoring trust following the clerical sexual abuse crisis in his homily during the U.S. bishops’ spring assembly in Baltimore.
Bishops to consider 10-point plan to acknowledge ‘episcopal commitments’
BALTIMORE (CNS) — The U.S. bishops are set to vote on a 10-point statement, “Affirming Our Episcopal Commitments,” in which the bishops hope to regain “the trust of the people of God.”
Holy Spirit ‘brings order to our frenzy,’ pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a world of conflict and division and a culture of insult, people need to live filled with the Holy Spirit, who is the only one capable of bringing harmony and unity to diversity, Pope Francis said.
Two new priests for Diocese of Phoenix Catholics
On the weekend the Church celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, two men embraced their unique calling to point others heavenward, too.
