Signs Of the Times

Despite Truce, Violence Plagues El Salvador

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources May 21, 2013

A truce among El Salvador’s street gangs has resulted in a dramatic reduction in homicides.

Signs Of the Times

Church Enjoys Fastest Growth in Asia, Africa

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources May 21, 2013

At the end of 2011, the Catholic population worldwide reached 1.214 billion.

Signs Of the Times

Pope Calls for Ethics Reforms, End to ‘Cult of Money’

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources May 21, 2013

“Money has to serve, not to rule,” Pope Francis said. ” We have created new idols.”

Signs Of the Times

News Briefs

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources May 21, 2013

In Rome on May 9, Sally Hodgdon of the United States, superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, was elected vice president of the International Union of Superiors General, a body that includes 1,900 religious orders of women worldwide. • Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York on May 13

Signs Of the Times

Uniting Against Human Trafficking

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources May 21, 2013

Human trafficking is so widespread that U.S. congregations of women religious are uniting in a nationwide effort to limit its reach. For years individual congregations have run human trafficking awareness programs regionally. Sister Margaret Nacke, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kan., sa

Signs Of the Times

News Briefs

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources May 16, 2013

A bomb attack on May 5 at a church in Arusha, Tanzania, killed two people and wounded a dozen more. The Vatican nuncio, Archbishop Francisco Padilla, escaped unharmed. • A degeneration of religion is how the Vatican’s culture minister, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, on May 8 described Mexico