Author: Catholic News Agency

Rabbi: From John XXIII to Francis, Catholic relations with Judaism have improved

October 29, 2015

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Rabbi: From John XXIII to Francis, Catholic relations with Judaism have improved Ā  By Elise Harris Fifty years ago the way the Catholic Church related with other religions changed forever when the Second Vatican Council declaration Nostra aetate sparked a wave of unprecedented welcome ā€“ a revolution one rabbi says has gained steam with every…

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‘Protect our common home’, world’s bishops ask climate change conference

October 27, 2015

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‘Protect our common home’, world’s bishops ask climate change conference Negotiators of a global agreement on climate change must take effective action to protect creation, leading bishops from around the world said on Monday. ā€œThis agreement must put the common good ahead of national interests. It is essential too that the negotiations result in an…

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Holy See urges UN to ban nuclear weapons, work towards peace

October 22, 2015

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Holy See urges UN to ban nuclear weapons, work towards peace Citing Pope Francis’ recent words on avoiding war and promoting peaceful coexistence between nations, the Holy See addressed the United Nations general assembly last Friday, urging them to ban nuclear weapons around the world and take more serious steps to promote peace programs. “As…

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For German bishops mercy comes at a price, critics charge

October 19, 2015

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For German bishops mercy comes at a price, critics charge As controversy continues to swirl around proposals by the German bishops at the Synod on the Family, the German bishops themselves have faced heightened criticism in recent years. Critics point out that while Cardinal Walter Kasper and most of his fellow German bishops have been…

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Pope Francis makes secret stop at new dorms for Rome’s homeless

October 16, 2015

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Pope Francis makes secret stop at new dorms for Rome’s homeless By Elise Harris After last nightā€™s synod session Pope Francis didnā€™t go back to his residence at the St. Martha house as usual, but instead decided to pop by the Vaticanā€™s new dormitory for homeless men. According to an Oct. 16 communique from the…

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‘It’s truly a miracle’ ā€“ kidnapped Syrian priest escapes from Islamic State

October 15, 2015

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‘It’s truly a miracle’ ā€“ kidnapped Syrian priest escapes from Islamic State A Syrian priest who was captured by Islamic State militants in May thought he would die for his faith. Now, he credits the Virgin Mary and the help of a Muslim friend for his escape. ā€œThis is the miracle the Good Lord gave…

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‘Confess-a-thon’ at Colombian mall draws 350 priests

October 14, 2015

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‘Confess-a-thon’ at Colombian mall draws 350 priests In the South American nation of Colombia ā€“ where an estimated 70 percent of the population identifies as Catholic ā€“ it is not unusual to encounter Catholic priests at a cathedral, or perhaps at a religious school or hospital. Seeing scores of priests at a shopping mall, on…

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Pope Francis establishes new dorm for Rome’s homeless men

October 13, 2015

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Pope Francis establishes new dorm for Rome’s homeless men Pope Francis and his brother Jesuits in Rome have converted an old travel agency building into a new homeless shelter for men, just in time for the cold winter months. The new dormitory is called ā€œGift of Mercy,ā€ because mercy is ā€œloveā€™s second name,ā€ Archbishop Konrad…

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Cardinal Dolan reportedly among concerned bishops who wrote Pope about synod

October 12, 2015

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Cardinal Dolan reportedly among concerned bishops who wrote Pope about synod By Ann Schneible New York’s archbishop is listed among the signatories in a letter last week to Pope Francis over whether this year’s Synod on the Family lacked the ā€œopenness and genuine collegialityā€ needed to accomplish its purpose, it was revealed Monday. In the…

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What is the future of marriage? First we have to look at its history, author says

October 9, 2015

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What is the future of marriage? First we have to look at its history, author says By Maggie Maslak June’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which mandated recognition of same-sex marriages across the U.S., was largely recognized by both supporters and opponents as a groundbreaking ruling. What are the factors that led to this wide-reaching Supreme…

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