This is the English version of the 2012-2013 Year of Faith logo. The logo features a boat, which is a traditional symbol for the church. Its main mast is the cross and, with the sails, it forms the initials IHS, the "Christogram" standing for Jesus, savior of men. Behind the IHS, the sun evokes a eucharistic host.

Vatican Announces Events for Year of Faith

by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – With a hymn and a prayer, Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella presented the Vatican’s initial calendar of events for the Year of Faith, which begins with a Mass Oct. 11 in St. Peter’s Square. Archbishop Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said the pope has […]

For God and Country

It’s just the tip of the iceberg. This Aug. 1, the federal government will impose on us regulations that, if followed, not only would violate the consciences of many American citizens but attempts even to change the definition of a church. It is a direct attack on our civil liberties, our Faith and our values, […]

Sisters’ Leadership Responds to Vatican’s Order to Reform Itself

by Carol Zimmerman WASHINGTON (CNS) – The national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) June 1 said it feels the assessment that led to a Vatican order to reform the organization “was based on unsubstantiated accusations and the result of a flawed process that lacked transparency.” The LCWR board called the sanctions […]

Vatican Says Financial Markets Should Not Regulate Themselves

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The global financial crisis and the worldwide recession it triggered have demonstrated that allowing financial markets to self-regulate does not serve national interests and the good of the international community, a Vatican official said. “The international community cannot let the financial system continue being a source of global economic instability; it […]

Vatican Museums Top 5 Million in Attendance

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In 2011, for the first time, the number of visitors to the Vatican Museums topped five million. Antonio Paolucci, director of the museums, said breaking the five-million threshold poses serious problems as well as challenges in the areas of access and education. “Five million visitors means 10 million hands that touch […]

‘Croc’ to Make Cuban Trip

A member of Rome’s Biopark zoo shows Pope Benedict XVI a rare young Cuban crocodile during the pope’s weekly audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Jan. 11. The crocodile is set to be introduced to its natural habitat in Cuba during the pope’s trip in March.

Vatican Recommends Year of Faith Activities

by Carol Glatz, VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In an effort to help Catholics have a better and correct understanding of their faith and become authentic witnesses to Christ, the Vatican issued a list of pastoral recommendations for celebrating the upcoming Year of Faith. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a “note” Jan. […]

Pope Coming to Mexico, Cuba

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Vatican officials are at an advanced stage in studying the possibility of a papal trip to Mexico and Cuba in the spring of 2012, the Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters Nov. 10 that the nuncios to Mexico and Cuba have been told to inform those […]

Pope Changes Format Of ‘Ad Limina’ Visits

by John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In a quiet modification of a traditional format, the Vatican has dropped most of the individual private meetings between Pope Benedict XVI and bishops making their “ad limina” visits to Rome.  (Bishop DiMarzio will lead the Brooklyn delegation on an “ad limina” visit during Thanksgiving week.) The unannounced […]

Vatican Gets Mixed Reactions on Economy

by Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) – U.S. Catholics have mixed feelings about the Vatican’s ideas on how to fix today’s troubled global economy. The proposals, outlined in a document released Oct. 24, include overhauling the world’s financial systems, establishing a global authority to manage the economy and creating a “world reserve fund” to support poor […]