IMAGE: CNS photo/Stringer, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The four Missionaries of Charity murdered March 4 in Yemen “are the martyrs of today,” Pope Francis said. “They gave their blood for the church.” After reciting the Angelus … Continue reading →

By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court stepped into some contentious waters March 2 when it heard oral arguments on abortion for the first time in nearly a decade and almost 25 years since it issued a … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Exercise a little courage and go to confession, turn away from selfishness and sin and back to God during the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis urged people at … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jorge Cabrera, Reuters By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — An outspoken environmental activist in Honduras was murdered in her own home, sparking outrage and offering another example of the impunity and violence in the Central American country. … Continue reading →

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, published several commentaries reflecting on the possibility of allowing laypeople, including women, to preach at Mass. Women already guide retreats, lead conferences and preach in some circumstances, wrote … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec By WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse of hundreds of children over several decades and an Oscar win for “Spotlight,” about the Boston abuse scandal, “brought painful, but important, reminders … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano v By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Go to confession. Soon. For Pope Francis, the Year of Mercy is all about sharing the experience of God’s mercy with others. But first, he wants people to … Continue reading →

By HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (CNS) — Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown committed the Pennsylvania diocese to be transparent in its efforts related to the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and to make public the names of all priests found … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) — Australian Cardinal George Pell promised to work with a group of abuse survivors to help prevent suicide among victims and support healing and protection programs. “One suicide is too many. And … Continue reading →

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God’s mercy can be understood only by someone who has an open heart and recognizes his or her sins, Pope Francis said. Unfaithfulness to God “hardens the heart, it closes the heart,” … Continue reading →