By Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – When the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization met at the Vatican in October, 2012, among the top items on the agenda was the threat of militant secularism in a post-Christian West. “It is as if a tsunami of secular influence has swept across the cultural […]
By Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In enunciating the principles of Catholic social teaching, popes have long stressed the Church’s special concern for the poor and the need for state intervention to promote economic justice. Pope Benedict XVI, for instance, blamed the “logic of profit” for widespread hunger and pollution; called for a […]
A Brooklyn Congressman has criticized the Obama Administration for its plan to close the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and to consolidate it into the larger embassy in Italy. Rep. Michael Grimm, who represents parts of Bay Ridge and all of Staten Island, said that “The Obama Administration’s plan to close the Vatican Embassy […]
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Just as fine wine grows stronger with age, grandparents and other elderly Catholics “have the strength to leave us a noble inheritance,” Pope Francis said at his early morning Mass. Celebrating the liturgy Nov. 19 in the chapel of his residence, Pope Francis once again denounced a cultural […]
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis closed the Year of Faith by calling on people to keep Christ at the center of their lives, especially in times of trouble. “When Jesus is at the center, light shines even the darkest moments of our lives; he gives us hope,” he said in his […]
By Nichole Golden ATLANTA (CNS) – An entire generation instantly recognizes the image of an unclothed Vietnamese girl running toward the camera in terror after a bombing at her village. Taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut in June, 1972, the black and white photograph became one of the most iconic pictures from the Vietnam […]
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Peace in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing war in Syria, topped the agenda Nov. 25 as Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican. The Russian president “conveyed the greetings of (Russian Orthodox) Patriarch Kirill, but there was not a discussion of ecumenical relations,” said […]
CAIRO (CNS) – Egypt’s Christians should stay in their country and help it progress instead of taking “the easy way” of emigrating abroad, said a senior member of the country’s Catholic Church. Father Rafic Greiche, head of the Catholic Church press office in Egypt, expressed concern Nov. 20 that hundreds of thousands of Christians have […]
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said he goes to confession every two weeks, knowing that God never tires of forgiving those who repent but also knowing that having a priest say “I absolve you” reinforces belief in God’s mercy. Using the literal Italian translation of a Spanish saying, “It’s better to […]
At the Investiture Dinner Nov. 23 for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were, from left, Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development; Nicholas Vendikos, director of development, Futures in Education; Manuel Gutierrez; Stefanie Gutierrez, spokesperson for the Diocese of Brooklyn; Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs, DeSales Media Group; Rita Damato, […]
