Roman Catholic Church
Some Catholics suffer sacramental withdrawal as virtual confessions are ruled out
By Nathan Romo — April 29, 2020
(RNS) — With social distancing and a ban on cellphone confessions, some Catholics are experiencing sacramental withdrawal.
Why the restored Notre Dame cathedral must remain a church
By Michel Aupetit — April 29, 2020
(RNS) — Some are asking if Paris’ restored cathedral should serve as a cultural center. The archbishop of Paris argues that its mission as a church is critical to the city and mankind.
Do we do everything in our power to lower the COVID-19 infection rate?
By Charles C. Camosy — April 20, 2020
(RNS) — The medical ethics of this crisis are different, in that choosing a higher possibility of exposure to COVID-19 puts others at higher risk as well.
Australian cardinal links corruption to child abuse charges
By Rod McGuirk — April 15, 2020
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Cardinal George Pell told an interviewer that some church officials believed his prosecution was an attempt to stop his financial reforms at the Vatican.
In a virtual Easter season, matter still matters for Catholics
By Timothy OMalley — April 9, 2020
(RNS) — Most Catholics understand why we’ll have to stream our Easter celebrations this year, but digital connection is not the coin of the realm in our worship.
Pope creates new expert commission to study women deacons
By Nicole Winfield — April 8, 2020
ROME (AP) — The 10-member commission, the second of Francis’ pontificate to study the fraught issue, includes equal numbers of men and women representing the United States and six European countries.
A new book urges canonization of Fulton Sheen, father of electronic Mass
By Claire Giangravé — April 6, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Sheen's niece hopes to restart the New York bishop's journey to canonization after it was abruptly halted last December.
Pandemic, border crackdown hamper Catholics’ aid to migrants
By David Crary — April 6, 2020
NOGALES, Mexico (AP) — For years, Catholic-led, U-S.-based nonprofits have been at the forefront of efforts to support migrants and asylum seekers along the Mexican border. Tough new border policies, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have drastically changed their work, much of which now takes place in Mexico. The once heavy flow of undocumented border-crossers […]
Trump campaign kicks off Catholic voter outreach project
By Elana Schor — April 6, 2020
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign is ramping up its courtship of Catholic voters ahead of a likely November matchup against a Catholic Democrat, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Report: Rolls-Royce cancels offer for private Mass with Pope Francis
By Jack Jenkins — March 6, 2020
(RNS) — According to Catholic News Agency, the organization facilitating the offer, Italian Luxury Living, has rescinded it in the wake of RNS' reporting.
Caution, cancellations mark Ash Wednesday in time of virus
By Nicole Winfield and Jim Gomez — February 26, 2020
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass as planned, but elsewhere in Italy services were canceled over fears of the new coronavirus.
In Bari, Pope Francis calls Mediterranean region to unity
By Claire Giangravé — February 24, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a city that once launched the Crusades, Francis urged, unite the forces that once nearly destroyed the known world to bear witness to peace.
A report finds L’Arche founder sexually abused 6 women
By Sylvie Corbet — February 22, 2020
PARIS (AP) — Jean Vanier, a religious figure who worked with the developmentally disabled in multiple countries over half a century before his death last year, sexually abused at least six women, according to a report.
Vatican police raid home, office of influential church official in investment inquiry
By Claire Giangravé — February 18, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The latest development in the church's financial scandal is apparently tied to interrogations of five officials who were suspended in October of last year.
German theologian spearheads transition to a ‘gender appropriate’ Catholic Church
By Claire Giangravé — February 17, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a country with a long tradition of outspoken theologians, Agnes Wuckelt has her say about Germany's Catholic bishops' two-year summit studying the Church's beliefs on sexuality, love and priestly life.