The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and the Anti-Defamation League suggested a racial motive may be at play in fires set at six St. Louis-area churches. In a prepared statement, the ACLU of Missouri’s executive director, Jeffrey Mittman, called the fires “domestic terrorism.”

After checking with the pope himself and other sources, Father Lombardi told reporters "the pope enjoys good health" and that the unsubstantiated news report was "a serious act of irresponsibility, absolutely unjustifiable and unspeakable."

Saying, “I believe we’re out of time” to mount a campaign, Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he would not run for president in 2016.

Synods are not anything new in the church. But is Francis changing how they work?

These reports give some interesting insights into the positions taken by the 270 synod fathers, but they do not tell the whole story as the 13 groups submitted more than 500 amendments that can had a determining impact on the final text.

The wisdom of mystery, of being okay with not knowing, is a lesson always worth remembering.

“The real work of this synod happens in the small group discussions,” and the Holy Spirit has been alive in those discussions, Bishop Murry told America in an interview.

The reforms to the annulment process introduced by Pope Francis serve only to avoid delays in cases where marriages are clearly not valid, two synod fathers said.Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach of Barcelona, Spain, and Cardinal Wilfrid F. Napier of Durban, South Africa, told journalists at a Vatican

Weary faces, fussy babies, little boys teasing little girls to the point of tears and repeated uses of the Arabic word, "inshallah" (God willing) reflect the uncertainty faced by refugees trying to reach northern Europe.Thousands of people fleeing Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan pass through t

That cry of “Lazarus, come out” we heard north of our border on the evening of Oct. 19 was the Canadian electorate reviving the fortunes of the long-thought-moribund Liberal Party.

Justin Trudeau promised “sunny ways” in his victory speech and proclaimed, “A positive, optimistic, hopeful vision of public life isn’t a naïve dream—it can be a powerful force for change.”

While church doctrine must stay unchanged, an Australian archbishop expressed his hope that the Synod of Bishops will the lead the church to a genuine pastoral approach using a new language of mercy toward families, particularly those in difficult situations. Speaking at a Vatican news conferen

Pope Francis believes in starting processes that can develop over time, and are not caught in the trap of having to get rapid results or immediate solutions.

Pope Francis says God’s love for us is without limits whereas human beings often lack this generosity and have a tendency to weigh up situations. His words came during his homily at Mass on Tuesday (October 20th) celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.Taking his inspiration from St. Paul&rsqu

After all the effort put into consulting ordinary Catholics, I suspect many of us in the pews are wondering, “Did they listen? Do they ‘get it’”?

It 39 s been a good run for some Jesuit universities and their fundraising efforts Last week Gonzaga University nbsp announced a 55 million donation which came not long after after Georgetown University announced a 50 million donation Earlier in the year in May Seattle University reported nbs

All of Christ's disciples, especially its pastors, are called to model themselves after Jesus and "suppress our instinctive desire to exercise power over others, and instead exercise the virtue of humility," Pope Francis said.

The synod’s handbook states that “a strong consensus or at least a two-thirds majority among those voting is required” for the approval of the final text.

Today’s biblical readings present the theme of service. They call us to follow Jesus on the path of humility and the cross.The prophet Isaiah depicts the Servant of the Lord (53:10-11) and his mission of salvation. The Servant is not someone of illustrious lineage; he is despised, shunned by a

Jesus does not condemn wealth, but the attachment to wealth that divides families and causes wars: this was the focus of Pope Francis’ remarks to the faithful at Mass on Monday morning in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta.Reflecting on the readings of the day that had just been proclaimed at