Vatican
Pope Francis to bishops: Protect the kids, not your careers
By Reuters — February 5, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors," Francis said.
Some see Junipero Serra, Pope Francis’ next American saint, as less than holy
By David Gibson — February 2, 2015
(RNS) Some of Junipero Serra’s sharpest critics say he was part of an imperial conquest that beat and enslaved Native Americans, raped their women, and destroyed their culture.
Vatican offers shaves, haircuts to Rome’s homeless
By Reuters — January 30, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Barbers and hairdressers would volunteer their services on Mondays, the day their shops are traditionally closed in Italy.
Pope Francis says he wants all annulments to be free
By David Gibson — January 23, 2015
(RNS) Some U.S. dioceses, which account for nearly half of all annulment cases in the global Catholic Church, no longer charge fees, usually about $400, to obtain an annulment.
Don’t breed ‘like rabbits’: Was Pope Francis breaking new ground on birth control?
By David Gibson — January 20, 2015
(RNS) As Pope Francis often does, he is shifting the focus from the “rules” to the principle behind the rules, even on such closed-book issues as birth control.
Pope Francis to make Franciscan missionary a saint during US trip
By David Gibson — January 15, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis said Thursday (Jan. 15) he plans to canonize 18th-century Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra during the papal visit to the U.S. in September, an indication that the pontiff may be mulling a stop near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Vatican downplays report that it’s under threat from Islamic terrorists
By Josephine McKenna — January 12, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “The Vatican and the pope may be targets ... but it is not opportune to feed a state of particular alarm, because at the moment it is neither justified or well-founded," the Vatican's chief spokesman said.
Nun is named first female head of Catholic Charities USA
By David Gibson — January 12, 2015
(RNS) Sister Donna Markham will be the first female chief of Catholic Charities USA in its 105-year history.
Oscar Romero declared a martyr as Vatican inches him toward sainthood
By Josephine McKenna — January 9, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Romero's sainthood cause languished amid lingering Vatican suspicion of Liberation Theology, which flourished under Romero and was suppressed by both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Belgian bishop says Catholic Church should bless same-sex couples
By David Gibson — January 8, 2015
(RNS) Bishop Johan Bonny has been touted as a future leader of Belgium's Catholic hierarchy, but will his controversial proposals hurt his prospects?
Yazidis thank Pope Francis for his support at Vatican meeting
By Josephine McKenna — January 8, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking people who follow an ancient religion blending elements of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity and local folk beliefs.
Cardinal Raymond Burke: ‘Feminized’ church and altar girls caused priest shortage
By David Gibson — January 7, 2015
(RNS) Why aren't more men entering the priesthood? A leading U.S. cardinal blames altar girls and a church that's become "too feminized."
Want to see Pope Francis’ vision for the church? Look at his new cardinals
By Josephine McKenna — January 5, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican’s chief spokesman said the choices showed Pope Francis' most important criteria was "universality," and indicated he was not “chained to tradition.”
Pope Francis names new cardinals from around the globe, none from U.S.
By Katharine Lackey — January 4, 2015
"The new nominations confirm that the pope is not bound to the traditions of the 'cardinalatial sees,'" says Vatican spokesman.
Would-be papal assassin Mehmet Ali Agca expelled from Italy
By Josephine McKenna — December 29, 2014
(RNS) Mehmet Ali Agca's expulsion came two days after he placed flowers on the late pope’s tomb in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday.
