VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The author of a controversial proposal to make it easier for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion says he believes Pope Francis backs the measure but would not apply it without support from bishops at two upcoming synods on the family. "I had the impre...
Read full story »

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Corporate influence, through money and lobbying, is a given in setting public policy. But faith leaders and public interest groups are wondering how much corporate influence is too much. Organizations such as the Franciscan Action Network and Common Cause have banded together to...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis opened the first working session of an extraordinary Synod of Bishops Oct. 6, urging participants to speak fearlessly and listen humbly during two weeks of discussion of the "pastoral challenges of the family." Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest t...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Everyone has a special gift to offer the whole church, just make sure it is used to serve everyone and not to puff up one's own pride or to create division, Pope Francis said. "It is a gift that God has given to someone not because he or she is a better person than someone els...
Read full story »

Q. As a practicing Catholic, what should be my answer when my Protestant friends ask me why my church does not ordain women to the priesthood? (City of origin withheld) A. Catholics believe that the ordained ministry has its origin in Christ's choice of the Twelve Apostles. Why Jesus selected only...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Archbishop Anthony Fisher, whom Pope Francis named to lead the Archdiocese of Sydney Sept. 18, has a highly varied resume, including degrees in civil law and philosophy and experience coordinating World Youth Day 2008. But if his ministry has been characterized by concern with...
Read full story »

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Not much more than a year after the Supreme Court ruled that bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional, the court could again this term weigh in on state laws related to such marriages. When the court opens its 2014 term Oct. 6, the docket will include cases dealing with t...
Read full story »

Q. When and where is it? A. Oct. 5-19, 2014, Vatican City Q. What is this? A. The synod is a meeting of Pope Francis, bishops, clergy and laypeople. Q. What is its purpose? A. Pope Francis has written that the synod will discuss the "challenges of marriage, of family l...
Read full story »

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People of different religious beliefs can and must live together in peace, Pope Francis said. The Muslim majority and Christian minorities in Albania cooperate beautifully for the common good and prove to the world that it can be done, he said. "I could see, with great satisfa...
Read full story »

Q. The church that we attend has front-row seating for disabled members of the congregation, and that is where my husband and I sit. At Communion time, the host is always brought to us at our seats. However, many times the ministers of the cup forget us and we don't have the opportunity to receive...
Read full story »