By Francis X Rocca VATICAN CITY - In the Vatican’s latest move to expand its use of media, an article on the meaning of Christmas by Pope Benedict XVI appeared in Britain’s Financial Times newspaper on December 20. “While Christmas is undoubtedly a time of great joy, it is also an occasion for deep reflection, even an examination of conscience,” the Pope wrote. “At the end of a yea...

‘Listen to the streets’ on family, thousands of Parisians tell French politicians A French bishops' spokesman urged politicians to "listen to the streets" after hundreds of thousands of people rallied against same-sex marriage. "We're facing questions about society -- what the family is, what marriage is, and whether there's a difference between men and women," Msgr. Bernard Podvin, s...

By Pope Benedict XVI Dear Cardinals, Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, Once again we find ourselves at the end of a year that has seen all kinds of difficult situations, important questions and challenges, but also signs of hope, both in the Church and in the world. I shall mention just a few key elements regarding the life of the Church and my Petrine ministry....

Mgr Ganswein, one of the most powerful figures in the Church, looks on with Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting in Zagreb in 2011. Photo: Allesandro Bianchi, Reuters By Catholic News Service Pope Benedict XVI will ordain his longtime secretary an Archbishop, 6 January, on the feast of the Epiphany. The pope named his closest aide to be prefect of the papal household, a job that inv...

By Carol Glatz God’s love is unconditional yet demanding, asking all to choose how they will live their gift of life, Pope Benedict XVI said. “The love of God sometimes follows paths one could never have imagined, but it always reaches those who are willing to be found,” the Pope said in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, to be observed April 21, 2013. God’s “de...

By Francis Rocca Pope Benedict XVI said the family in Western society is undergoing a “crisis that threatens it to its foundations” owing to false ideas of human nature that equate freedom with selfishness and present God-given sexual identities as a matter of individual choice to the profound detriment of human dignity. But he said the Catholic Church, in its dialogue with states, se...

By Carol Glatz Even when the Catholic Church acknowledges its struggles and the sinfulness of some of its members, it must hold on to the joy that flows from God’s love and salvation in Christ, said the preacher of the papal household. “When the world comes knocking at the Church’s doors – even when it does so violently and in anger – it does so because it is looking for joy,” Capuchi...

As I flew toward the Tiwi Islands, an Aboriginal Community 80 kilometres north of Darwin, I dared to ask the pilot if he was willing to hand me control of the small aircraft. Surprisingly he nodded and as he let go of his wheel I nervously grabbed the one in front of me. Suddenly I was filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation – feelings, I was to later realise, gave me an insig...

By James Martone When she heard from the village chief that a 14-year-old girl was being forced to leave school and marry, Senegalese aid worker Constance Mbaye could think of only one thing to do. “I gave the chief my telephone number and address and told him to tell the girl that if she could escape and make it to the city, I would take care of her,” said Mbaye, a Catholic who once ...

By Michael Kelly DUBLIN - The president of the Irish bishops’ conference urged Catholics to make their views  on abortion clear to politicians as the government considers legalising abortion in limited circumstances. In his Christmas message, Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, reiterated the Church’s opposition to such legislation. “Public representatives will be aske...