100,000 people protest against the austerity measures in front of parliament building in Athens (May 29, 2011).

Dispatches

Pope Expresses ‘Closeness’ to Greeks as Crisis Worsens, Asks for Prayers for Them

by Gerard O’Connell July 1, 2015

As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis lived through a similar economic and social crisis.

In All Things, Politics & Society

When it comes to abolishing the death penalty, who should decide?

by Richard W. Garnett June 29, 2015

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishments. It has long been established that this ban does not categorically rule out the death penalty.

A supporter for same-sex marriage stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington April 28. The high court began hearing cases for same-sex marriages in states that bar the union. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

In All Things, Politics & Society

Same-Sex Marriage Decision Resolves One Question, Raises Many Others

by Ellen K. Boegel June 29, 2015

Legal abstractions in Obergefell v. Hodges have concrete results

Archbishops Fisher, Cupich leave after Mass marking feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican.

Dispatches, Faith

Pope Francis: ‘Those Who Have Tried to Destroy the Church’ Throughout History ‘Are Themselves Destroyed’

by Gerard O’Connell June 29, 2015

New archbishops gather in Rome

Gay rights supporters celebrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington June 26 after the justices ruled in a 5-4 decision that the U.S. Constitution gives same-sex couples the right to marry. (CNS photo/Jim Bourg, Reuters)

Dispatches

‘Laudato Si” and the LGBTQ Community

by Jim McDermott June 29, 2015

The path forward can happen only through love and openness to one another.

Dispatches

Pope Francis Establishes a New Vatican Secretariat for Communications

by Gerard O’Connell June 27, 2015

Pope Francis has created a new Secretariat for Communications in the Roman Curia into which all existing Vatican communications offices and operations will be incorporated At the same time he has appointed the Italian Monsignor Dario Edoardo Vigano Director of the Vatican Television Center as it

Dispatches

Across the Nation, U.S. Bishops Deplore Supreme Court Call in Obergefell v. Hodges

by Kevin Clarke June 26, 2015

It will probably come as no surprise that this morning rsquo s Supreme Court decision was not exactly welcomed by representatives of the U S bishops rsquo conference Its president Archbishop Joseph Kurtz described the Obergefell v Hodges decision as a ldquo tragic error rdquo and other reactio

Dispatches

Our Kids Can Help Us Understand ‘Laudato Si”

by Jim McDermott June 24, 2015

Reading the encyclical we might ask ourselves, where did all that kid common sense go?

Italian Archbishop Bruno Forte leaves concluding session of extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family

Dispatches

Archbishop Forte: ‘Accompaniment’ and ‘Integration’ are Key Words for Synod

by Gerard O’Connell June 23, 2015

ldquo Accompaniment rdquo and ldquo Integration rdquo nbsp are the two key words of the Working Document for next October rsquo s Synod of Bishops on the Family Archbishop Bruno Forte the synod rsquo s secretary said at a Vatican press conference June 23 It rsquo s clear that the doors are