African bishops: ‘No blessing for homosexual couples in the African Churches’
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). / Credit: François-Régis Salefran, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 11, 2024 / 14:25 pm (CNA). In response to new Vatican guidelines permitting nonliturgical pastoral blessings of homosexual couples, the bishops of Africa issued a united […]
The Pope Is Battling to Ban Surrogacy Worldwide — and This US State Is at the Front Line
Dennis MacDonald The House of Representatives chamber at the Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing A bill aimed at legalizing surrogacy contracts is advancing through the Michigan Legislature.
Walking in faith: Eight children receive first Communion in northern Gaza
Eight children received their first Communion at Holy Family Church on Jan. 7, 2024, in northern Gaza. / Credit: Father Gabriel Romanelli/Facebook CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2024 / 09:33 am (CNA). In the midst of war and suffering, the Catholic faithfu… […]
Church destroyed by ISIS in Iraq completely restored 10 years later
The Dominican Church of Our Lady of the Hour, one of the most emblematic in Mosul, northern Iraq, has been completely restored after the destruction carried out by Islamic State terrorists 10 years ago. / Credit: ACI Mena/YouTube ACI Prensa Sta… […]
Scottish government proposes ‘conversion practices’ ban
The flag of Scotland. Credit: Lynx Aqua/Shutterstock. / null CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2024 / 12:00 pm (CNA). The Scottish government this week released a document proposing the criminalization of “conversion practices,” which it defined broadly as “a… […]
The Term “Pastoral” as a Talisman Word
One of the expressions we hear most in recent years is “pastoral.” “Pastoral reasons” are used to justify some initiatives in the ecclesial sphere, as we have seen in Fiducia supplicans. “Pastoral motifs” are also behind many changes in liturgy and sacred music. It almost seems that pastoral care has become a sort of passepartout […]
Praying for peace in Gaza and letting go of rage
A Reflection for Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, by Joe Hoover, S.J.
Vatican announces renovation of baldacchino in St. Peter’s basilica (Washington Post)
The Vatican has unveiled plans for a year-long project to restore the famous Bernini baldachinno, the canopy over the main altar of St. Peter’s basilica. The massive structure over the altar, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the early 17th century, is composed of marble, bronze, wood, and gold. The restoration, with an estimated cost […]
Biden administration reduces ‘conscience clause’ protections (CNA)
The Biden administration has announced new rules restricting the rights of health-care workers to refuse involvement in abortion. The Department of Health and Human Services said that the new rules, which remove protections issued under the Trump administration, are necessary because “those portions are redundant, unlawful, confusing, or undermine the balance Congress struck between safeguarding […]
BREAKING: Vatican official says St. Peter’s Basilica will bless homosexual ‘couples’
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti added that as yet nobody has asked the canons of the basilica for such a blessing.Read More