The Vatican must speak on conscientious objection
The only way out of this Kim Davis mess is a thoughtful and clear statement on what exactly the Church means by “conscientious objection.” And the sooner the better.
View ArticlePope promises Church trial against alleged Spanish sex abuser
In a handwritten letter by Pope Francis to a survivor of sexual abuse in a Catholic school in Spain, the pontiff said he requested a Church trial against the teacher who allegedly committed the abuse...
View ArticleVatican distances Pope Francis from Kentucky clerk Kim Davis
Francis did not intend his brief greeting of Kim Davis as a sign of support for her position, the Vatican said Friday. Meanwhile, CNN reported that the pope did set up a meeting with a gay friend from...
View ArticleVatican fires gay priest on eve of synod
The Vatican took action after Krzysztof Charamsa, a mid-level official in its doctrine office, came out in newspaper interviews saying he was in love with a man he identified as his boyfriend.
View ArticleFrancis blasts critics of Chilean bishop tied to abuser priest
A five-month-old video shows the pope accusing critics in Chile of “foolishness” for protesting his appointment of a bishop accused of covering up for the country’s most notorious abuser priest.
View ArticleFerment on gay rights well underway before synod even opens
Judging by the flurry of activity by advocacy groups of every stripe, it feels like the synod debates have already started.
View ArticlePope opens Synod of Bishops with call to blend tradition with mercy
The pope tackled one of the thorniest issues the bishops will debate during the next three weeks: Pastoral care for divorced and separated Catholics.
View ArticlePope Francis faces an uphill climb to get the synod he wants
The global summit of prelates is a critically important moment for the pontiff. If past is prologue, however, he may face a stiff challenge in steering it toward his desired outcome.
View ArticleChurch pew restorations for the papal visit are just about done
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — Preparations for Pope Francis’ visit to New York City in September have kept workers busy at an upstate New York business for more than three years. The Keck Group’s church pew...
View ArticleA guide to seeing the pope in the United States
Pope Francis will spend six days in the United States next month, from Tuesday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 27. If you hope to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, his two-day visit to Philadelphia on...
View ArticleMural of pope looks out over New York’s Madison Square Garden Mass site
NEW YORK — New Yorkers and tourists in Midtown Manhattan have been gazing up at a smiling Pope Francis at one of New York’s busiest intersections. A 225-foot tall hand-painted billboard welcomes the...
View ArticleChair built for Pope Francis for his Mass in New York is unveiled
NEW YORK — A wooden chair that will be used by Pope Francis when he celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden was unveiled Wednesday, with Church officials saying its simple design reflects the...
View ArticleSt. Patrick’s Cathedral restored in time for pope’s visit
NEW YORK — A three-year restoration project at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and one of the country’s most well-known churches, is coming to an end...
View ArticleSpeakers series named in honor of former NYC Mayor Ed Koch
NEW YORK — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and New York Board of Rabbis are launching the Edward I. Koch Memorial Speakers Series later this month. The first topic of discussion will be the...
View ArticleMark Wahlberg will have to watch his mouth in front of the pope
Pope Francis hasn’t watched television in a couple of decades, which might be a good thing in light of the announcement that actor Mark Walhberg will host the Festival of Families outdoor event in...
View ArticlePope to give 4 speeches in English in US, the rest in Spanish
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will deliver only four out of his 18 speeches in the United States in English, using his native Spanish for the vast majority of his homilies, greetings, and other speaking...
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A look at the prominent US churches Pope Francis will visit
WASHINGTON — When Pope Francis visits the United States in September, he’ll make stops at prominent churches that have drawn the faithful and the curious for decades. In Washington, he will visit the...
View ArticleHow a lucky few (thousand) New Yorkers got their coveted tickets
NEW YORK — The lottery began with a roll of dice in a conference room steps away from the pastor’s office. The number that came up, five, determined how many times Joseph V. Dorsa, director of finance...
View ArticleFrom Lincoln lectern to traffic, knotty US logistics for Pope Francis
In New York, Roman Catholic officials have walked Pope Francis’ expected path through the National September 11 Memorial and timed it at five to seven minutes. In Washington, studios for television...
View ArticlePope tickets: Is it better to scalp or to receive?
NEW YORK — When free tickets to see Pope Francis’ procession through Central Park on Friday started appearing for sale at huge markups on websites like Craigslist and eBay, the reaction was swift and...
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