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ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Pushing back against the forces of isolationism, President Barack Obama stood at the birthplace of democracy on Wednesday and declared it's time for a "course correction" to ensure that the benefits of technology and globalization are more broadly shared....
NEW YORK (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump rejected claims of chaos and infighting straining his transition, declaring that he is running a "very organized process." His son Eric Trump said new appointments were likely to be announced Wednesday....
(Vatican Radio) The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are holding their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland.On the first day of the assembly, US bishops approved a strategic 5 point plan for the next 4 years, elected a new president and vice-president, and approved the canonical consultation of four causes for beatification and canonization.Pope Francis sent a video message to the USCCB on occasion of their assembly for the upcoming ‘Fifth National Hispanic Pastoral Encuentro’. Click here to view the video.Strategic Plan 2017-2020The United States’ bishops approved the 4-year plan under the theme ‘Encountering the Mercy of Christ and Accompanying His People with Joy’.Five points make up the strategic plan of 2017-2020 with the goal of ‘offering a sustained and compelling witness to the power of Christ’s love in the world’.The first priority is ‘Evangelization’, calling Catholics to &lsqu...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis during his General Audience in St Peter's Square on Wednesday reflected on the spiritual work of mercy, to bear wrongs patiently, telling the faithful during his catechesis that patience is a virtue. Below find the English language summary of the Pope's words Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now consider the spiritual work of mercy which is bearing wrongs patiently. In showing patience to those who wrong us and, by extension, to those we find irritating, we imitate God’s own patience with us sinners. Exercising patience with others also challenges us to reflect on our own conduct and failings. Patience is also required in two related spiritual works of mercy: admonishing sinners and instructing the ignorant. We think of the patience shown by the many parents, catechists and teachers who quietly help young people to grow in faith and knowledge of the import...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday during his General Audience highlighted that on November 20th Universal Children's Day will be observed.The Pope appealed to the conscience of all, institutions and families, to ensure that children are always protected and their welfare is secure, so that they never fall into “forms of slavery, recruitment into armed groups and mistreatment.”The Holy Father expressed the hope that the international community would be vigilant about their lives, to ensure that every child has the right to school education, so that their growth is serene and they can look confidently to the future.
(Vatican Radio) During his last General Audience before the close of the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis drew inspiration from the spiritual work of mercy, to bear wrongs patiently, telling the faithful in St Peter’s Square during his catechesis that exercising patience was a virtue.Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report: He said that, “in showing patience to those who wrong us and, by extension, to those we find irritating, we imitate God’s own patience with us sinners.” The Pope added, “it also happens at times that annoying people are the ones closest to us…” Among relatives there is “always someone”, he said. “There are also people who irritate us in the workplace and even in our spare time.”Pope Francis went on to say that in the Bible there are many examples of God’s patience and recalled the patience Jesus had during the three years of his public life.Exercising patience with others, the Pop...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis renewed his call for prayerful solidarity with the victims of the recent earthquake in central Italy on Wednesday. The Holy Father’s appeal came in remarks to sick people and newlyweds, whom he greeted following the catechetical portion of the weekly General Audience.“Let us pray for the victims and for their families,” he said, “and let us continue to be good neighbors to all those, who have suffered damage to property and livelihood.”In his greetings, Pope Francis also recalled how the month of November is especially devoted to prayerful remembrance of all the dead.“Let us not forget those, who have loved us and who have gone before us in the faith, along with all those, whom no one remembers,” said Pope Francis. “Suffrage in the Eucharistic Celebration is the best spiritual help that we can offer to their souls,” he went on to say.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis highlighted the role of dignified work in the integral development of society on Wednesday. His remarks came during the weekly General Audience, in words of greeting to Italy’s Federazione Maestri del Lavoro – an organization of veteran laborers and professionals over the age of 50 with at least 25 years’ experience in their respective fields, who have shown exemplary skill, diligence, and moral character throughout their careers.The Federation is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding.“Let this recurrence contribute to the encouragement of social and economic inclusion, especially among the weakest levels of the population,” Pope Francis said.
Rome, Italy, Nov 16, 2016 / 03:02 am (CNA).- When it comes to talking about women and their role in the Church, discussion tends to focus almost exclusively on getting ordained or being placed in high ranking, decision making positions.However, amid all the buzz, it's easy get lost in the debate and miss the fact that the entire discussion is rotating around the wrong axis.In simply addressing ordination or curial positions – a line that reduces both women and the discussion about them to clericalism – everyone on both sides of the issue has overlooked that the question is actually much larger, and demands a much greater involvement on the part of the laity.Ana Cristina Villa, a consecrated laywoman with the Marian Community of Reconciliation who works in the office for women of the new mega-dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, told CNA that what a woman does in the Church is “not just a role, but a vocation...it’s what God calls women to do in the Churc...
Vatican City, Nov 16, 2016 / 04:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The spiritual works of mercy – especially teaching the faith and putting up with the annoyances of others – are very important, Pope Francis said Wednesday, but first we must examine our own conscience to see if we are practicing the things we preach.“The need to advise, admonish and teach should not make us feel superior to others, but first of all obliges us to return to ourselves to see if we are consistent with what we ask of others,” he said Nov. 16.“Do not forget the words of Jesus” from Luke chapter six, he said: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”The Pope’s catechesis for the general audience in St. Peter’s Square focused on several of the spiritual works of mercy, specifically counseling the doubtful, admonishing the sinner, instructing the ignorant, and bearing the wrongs of others pat...
