Sponsor shelves 'dangerous' seal of confession bill
Today, some states are challenging the seal of confession in reaction to the Catholic Church's clerical sexual abuse crisis. Unfortunately, many Americans – including Catholics – do not understand why the Church defends the inviolability of the seal. This article is the second in a seri...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Pope to canonize Blessed John Henry Newman in Rome Oct. 13
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis will declare Blessed John Henry Newman, the 19th-century British cardinal, a saint Oct. 13. The British theologian will be canonized during a Mass at the Vatican along with a Swiss laywoman, an Indian nun, an Italian nun and a nun known as the "Mother Teresa...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Plan for beatification of Archbishop Sheen begins
PEORIA, Ill. (CNS) – With "overwhelming joy," Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria has announced that Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. "Now that the miracle has been confirmed by Pope Francis, the Diocese of Peoria can formally begi...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Holy days of obligation; Catholic-Jewish wedding
Q. I am puzzled that the Ascension is no longer observed on Thursday (40 days after Easter) as a holy day of obligation, while the feasts of the Assumption and of the Immaculate Conception are considered to be obligatory. The Ascension surely has a scriptural basis, while there are no direct s...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Challenges to seal of confession attributed to clergy sex abuse scandals
Editor’s note: Today, some states are challenging the seal of confession in reaction to the Catholic Church's clerical sexual abuse crisis. Unfortunately, many Americans – including Catholics – do not understand why the Church defends the inviolability of the seal. This article is...Read full story »
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Existence of purgatory - Should some politicians be excommunicated?
Q. I am a cradle Catholic and have always believed in purgatory. Now I am hearing from some people (including from some priests) who deny its existence. Can you clarify this for me? (City and state of origin withheld) A. The Catholic Church does indeed believe in the existence of purgatory. The Cat...Read full story »
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Vatican says secrecy of confession must never be violated
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In the light of "a worrying negative prejudice" against the Catholic Church, Pope Francis ordered the publication of a document affirming the absolute secrecy of everything said in confession and calling on priests to defend it at all costs – even at the cost of the...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
'Lord of the dance'
If it's Thursday night, it's a free outdoor concert at a local mall. It's a pretty spot – a courtyard right next to an Italian restaurant with outdoor seating, lots of flowers, a small stage and a few iron benches. There's a d...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
Correction on Virgin Mary/ Church change on death penalty?
Q. Several weeks ago in your column, you stated that Mary remained a virgin after Jesus' birth and for the rest of her life. The Bible states otherwise. Matthew 1:24-25 says that Joseph "did not know her until she had brought forth her firstborn Son." Other passages reveal that Jesus had other sibl...Read full story »
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
Receive Communion every time as if it were the first time, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Every time a Catholic receives Communion, it should be like his or her first Communion, Pope Francis said. Marking the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ June 23, the pope spoke about the gift of the Eucharist during his midday Angelus address at the Vatican and at the Rome...Read full story »
Thursday, June 27, 2019
