Pope Francis Delivers Message of Mercy to Massive Crowd
Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images(VATICAN CITY) — Before an astounding crowd of some 300,000 in and around St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis delivered his first angelus as pontiff on Sunday, urging the faithful to be merciful and forgiving.Hours e…
Catholic Church Growing in Third World, but European Cardinals Control Power
Joe Raedle/Getty Images(NEW YORK) – As Catholics across the globe begin the holy season of Lent, many look toward Rome and wonder if the Vatican will break with tradition and choose the first pope from outside Europe in modern times.The Catholic…
Retiring Chicago Priest Refuses to Leave Rectory
George Doyle/Thinkstock(CHICAGO) — A Chicago parish is in turmoil because its beloved priest has balked at his impending removal from the Catholic Church rectory, while his incoming successor, who says he was attacked by a staff member, admits that he…
Vatican Threatens to Excommunicate Chinese Priest Backed by Beijing
Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock(ROME) — The Vatican has threatened a Chinese priest with excommunication if China moves ahead with his government-backed bishop ordination, which has not been approved by the Holy See.The Chinese government-backed appointme…
Confessions of Priest Who Molested 17 Boys Released
Image Source/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The lurid confessions of a priest who sexually abused young boys in his parish choir and the seminary offer a glimpse into one of the minds behind the massive sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church.Fo…
Notre Dame, Catholic Dioceses Sue Obama Over Contraception Mandate
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Forty-three Catholic groups, including the University of Notre Dame and Archdioceses of New York and Washington, have sued the Obama administration over a controversial mandate requiring employers to offer insuranc…
Seattle Churches Refuse Petition to Reverse Gay Marriage Law
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(SEATTLE) — At least two Catholic churches in the Seattle area are resisting an archdiocese effort to reverse Washington state’s newly enacted marriage equality law.Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain sent a letter to all area …
Obama Bends Contraception Rule for Religious Institutions
Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Seeking to quell a political uproar over religious freedom and contraception, President Obama announced Friday that religious-affiliated institutions will not be mandated to cover birth control for their employee…
Calif. Bishop Admits Having Fathered Two Children, Resigns
David McNew/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — A Catholic bishop serving in Los Angeles has resigned after admitting that he fathered two children over a decade ago, the L.A. archdiocese announced Wednesday. Bishop Gabino Zavala submitted his resignation let…