Faith, News

Half of U.S. Catholics say belief in God is not necessary to be a good person

by Michael J. O’Loughlin October 19, 2017

The majority of Americans now believe that “God is not a prerequisite for good values and morality.”

A neighborhood destroyed by wildfire in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Diocese of Santa Rosa "has been hit hard" and "is in an ongoing state of uncertainty" because of Northern California wildfires that began the night of Oct. 8, said Bishop Robert F. Vasa. (CNS photo/Jim Urquhart, Reuters)

Dispatches, Faith

After the California fires, the Diocese of Santa Rosa finds community among the ruins

by Jim McDermott October 19, 2017

Upward of 3,000 buildings have been destroyed just in Santa Rosa, a city of 175,000 people.

Faith, Last Take

Catholics of color are keeping the U.S. Catholic Church alive

by Mary C. Curtis October 18, 2017

The Catholic Church in the United States is being transformed by its black and brown parishioners, whose numbers and voices are rising.

Activists with the Lancaster Against Pipelines carry a banner in late April during the People's Climate March in Washington. Nearly two dozen people were arrested Oct. 16 as they blocked workers from starting construction of a short leg of a natural gas pipeline on property owned by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Columbia, Pa. (CNS photo/Mark Dixon, Wikimedia Commons)

News, Politics & Society

Protesters arrested for blocking pipeline work through nuns’ property

by Dennis Sadowski - Catholic News Service October 17, 2017

“We will continue to have a presence here. How can we not? We live here. This is our home.”

Catholics Against the Death Penalty-Southern California march during the 2017 Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif., in February. (CNS photo/Andrew Cullen, Reuters)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Advocates for death penalty abolition encouraged by Pope Francis statement

by Kevin Clarke October 16, 2017

“We absolutely welcome the pope’s strong statement on this issue; we welcome the moral clarity and the leadership he is showing.”

Father Enrique Delgado of the Archdiocese of Miami is seen Oct. 12. Pope Francis appointed him to be an auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese that same day. (CNS photo/Archdiocese of Miami)

Faith, News

Pope Francis names Peru native as auxiliary bishop in Miami Archdiocese

by Catholic News Service October 13, 2017

His appointment “reflects the growing presence of Hispanics in the Catholic Church here in the United States.”

Podcasts, Politics & Society

Exploring domestic violence in Catholic families, and how the church can help

by The Editors October 13, 2017

This week’s guest is Dr. Christauria Welland. Dr. Welland is a clinical psychologist in San Diego, and the founder of Pax in Familia, an organization dedicated to improving pastoral responses to violence in Catholic families. She recently wrote an article for America in commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness month: “Caring for the most vulnerable: undocumented […]

President Donald Trump stands behind and in front of members of a Marine honor guard as he greets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau as they arrive at the White House on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Hundreds of U.S. Catholic leaders challenge President Trump on Iran and North Korea

by Kevin Clarke October 12, 2017

The president’s threats, according to the statement, “have brought the world to the brink of a nuclear catastrophe and have intensified global insecurity.”

An aerial view of destruction in Santa Rosa, Calif., is seen on Oct. 11 after wildfires. (CNS photo/DroneBase, Reuters)

News, Politics & Society

Catholic schools among casualties of California wildfires

by Antonio De Loera-Brust October 12, 2017

Bishop Vasa called on all Catholics of the diocese to help their brothers and sisters who “have been severely impacted by the devastating fires and are in immediate need of your prayers.”