Seminarians walk on the grounds of the Society of St. Pius X seminary in Econe, Switzerland, in this May 9, 2012, file photo. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis paves way for bishops to validate marriages in traditionalist communities

by Junno Arocho Esteves - Catholic News Service April 4, 2017

Pope Francis has made it possible for bishops to ensure the validity of marriages celebrated in the traditionalist communities.

Bishop Edward K. Braxton of Belleville, Ill., greets the Rev. Timothy George, dean of Samford University's Beeson Divinity School. (CNS photo/Mary D. Dillard, One Voice)

Faith, News

On MLK anniversary, Bishop Braxton reminds Vatican panel that racial divide in church continues

by Cindy Wooden - Catholic News Service April 4, 2017

“The racial divide in the United States and, sadly, in the Catholic Church in the United States is not something of the past. It is very much something of the present,” the bishop said.

Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate from the bench in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four on April 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (CNS photo/Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

News, Politics & Society

Gonzaga? Yes, the tiny school named after a saint plays NC for NCAA title

by Eddie Pells - Associated Press April 3, 2017

A Jesuit school with 7,800 students based in Spokane, Washington is going up against a behemoth from Tobacco Road in Monday night’s NCAA final.

In this November, 2014 file photo, Archbishop Anthony Apuron stands in front of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna, Guam. (AP Photo/Grace Garces Bordallo, File)

Faith, News

Guam Catholic Church is in a ‘perfect storm’ of controversy

by Grace Garces Bordallo - Associated Press and Nicole Winfield - Associated Press April 3, 2017

The battle on the tiny tropical U.S. territory pits the Neocatechumenal Way lay group against critics on a majority Catholic island that was colonized by Spanish missionaries in the 17th century.

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Ricardo Blazquez Perez of Valladolid, Spain, during an audience with seminarians and faculty of the Pontifical Spanish College of St. Joseph at the Vatican on April 1. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano, handout)

Faith, News

Pope Francis: An ‘orderly and comfortable life’ is not a life for Christ

by Carol Glatz - Catholic News Service April 3, 2017

“The devil always comes in through the pocket, always,” the pope said.

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad is seen at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ainkawa, Iraq, on Oct. 25, 2016. (CNS photo/Amel Pain, EPA)

Faith, News

Holy Week peace march in Iraq receives Chaldean patriarch support

by Dale Gavlak - Catholic News Service April 3, 2017

For the patriarch, Holy Week culminating in the Easter celebration offers a fresh hope to breathe new life into prayer and reflection, reconciliation and dialogue.

Pope Francis greets Syrian refugees he brought to Rome from the Greek island of Lesbos in April 2016 at Ciampino airport in Rome. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Faith, News

Vatican welcomes three new Syrian refugee families

by Junno Arocho Esteves - Catholic News Service April 3, 2017

The Vatican welcomed the refugee families after an appeal made by Pope Francis on every parish, religious community, monastery and shrine in Europe to take in a family of refugees.