Using ‘holidays’ instead of ‘Christmas’ isn’t inclusive, cardinals say
Dropping references to Christmas in favor of "winter holidays" in official European Union communications was an idea that was not meant to offend but did and could even push some Christians toward right-wing populist political parties, said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg.
Catholics must defend rights of the weakest, defenseless, pope says
Catholics must contribute to helping protect the rights of the defenseless, weak and rejected, Pope Francis said.
Organization calls attention to untold number of ‘missing’ migrants
On paper, some call them "missing," but many families of the migrants know it's likely that they're dead.
Doctors: Advances since Roe confirm abortion ‘takes life of unborn child’
At 15 weeks' gestation, a fetus responds to touch. The neurotransmitters and nerves needed to process and transmit pain signals have formed, and most of the spinal cord has hardened into bone.
Mass marks end of diocesan phase of inquiry for Day’s sainthood cause
More than 1,500 people filled St. Patrick's Cathedral Dec. 8 to witness the formal end of the diocesan phase of the sainthood cause for Dorothy Day.
Court examines death-row inmates’ claims of ineffective counsel
The Supreme Court's last case of the year Dec. 9 looked at when death-row inmates can raise claims that they were given ineffective counsel.
Survey: Most don’t see reasons to seek vaccine religious exemption as valid
A poll released Dec. 9 showed a strong majority of Americans don't see the reasons for a religious exemption to the coronavirus vaccine as valid.
Vatican Nativity crèche inspired by Peru’s Andean region
The representation of Peru's diverse Indigenous communities in this year's Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square embodies the joy and hope of their faith, said Peruvian Bishop Carlos Alberto Salcedo Ojeda of Huancavelica, Peru.
More example than exhortation: Pope’s 2021 illustrated teaching on kinship
From a vaccination clinic in the atrium of the Vatican audience hall to a visit to the ancient Iraqi city of Ur and later to a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece, Pope Francis demonstrated throughout 2021 what he means by seeing all people as brothers or sisters.
Our Lady of Fatima statue near national shrine in Washington vandalized
Days ahead of a major Marian feast day in the Catholic Church, a marble statue of Our Lady of Fatima near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington was vandalized, with Mary's hands and nose cut off, her face scratched and the cross on her crown broken off.
