Kaunas, Lithuania, Oct 8, 2019 / 12:49 am (CNA).- One of the newest cardinals of the Church says he drew strength from the Mass and the Blessed Virgin during the decade he spent in a Soviet prison camp in Siberia. Sigitas Tamkevicius, archbishop emeritus of Kaunas, Lithuania, was elevated to the rank of cardinal in… Read More »
Tens of thousands protest France IVF bill
Paris, France, Oct 7, 2019 / 12:23 pm (CNA).- At least 42,000 people protested in Paris Sunday against a bill that would allow single women and lesbian couples access to IVF. Many French bishops have spoken against the bill. Police said there were 42,000 at the Oct. 6 protests, while a media-funded researchers estimated 74,000,… Read More »
Federal appeals court considering Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban
Jackson, Miss., Oct 7, 2019 / 11:06 am (CNA).- A federal appeals court is considering a Mississippi law ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The law was signed in 2018 but is not currently in effect. The law allows abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy only when the mother’s life or a major… Read More »
Women religious play vital role in Amazon, sister says
Vatican City, Oct 7, 2019 / 10:31 am (CNA).- A religious sister from Colombia taking part in the Amazon synod said Monday her congregation and other women’s religious congregations play a big role in the life of the Catholic Church in the Amazon. “The presence of women in the Amazon is very great and very… Read More »
Holy Spirit is 'main actor' of Amazon synod, pope says in opening remarks
Vatican City, Oct 7, 2019 / 03:39 am (CNA).- In his opening remarks for the Amazon synod Monday, Pope Francis said the assembly’s working document is meant to be “destroyed” as the starting point of the work of the Holy Spirit, who he prays will guide the synodal process. “Synod is to walk together under… Read More »
In Rochester, moms' group prays for vocations to come from among their families
Rochester, N.Y., Oct 6, 2019 / 04:06 pm (CNA).- A newly-formed group of Catholic mothers in Rochester, New York has committed to praying regularly for the flourishing of vocations from within their own families. “We have to pray for our kids, for their vocations, to hear God’s call, what He’s asking of them,” said Janene… Read More »
Pope Francis prays for 'daring prudence' during Amazon synod
Vatican City, Oct 6, 2019 / 04:06 am (CNA).- At the opening Mass for the Amazon synod Sunday, Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would give the bishops prudence, wisdom, and discernment to help the Church in the Pan-Amazonian region be renewed by the fire of faith. “Prudence is not indecision; it is not… Read More »
Newborns' removal after refusal of optional shot raises parental rights concerns
Chicago, Ill., Oct 5, 2019 / 04:46 pm (CNA).- Concerns over parental rights violations are being raised as a group of families in Chicago files a lawsuit saying their newborns were wrongly taken from them when they declined a voluntary Vitamin K shot. Among the couples filing the suit are Brian and Angela Bougher. The… Read More »
Pope Francis urges new cardinals to imitate Christ’s compassionate heart
Vatican City, Oct 5, 2019 / 10:15 am (CNA).- Pope Francis created 13 new cardinals Saturday, encouraging each of them to ask for the grace to have a compassionate heart like Christ. “The readiness of a cardinal to shed his own blood – as signified by the scarlet color of your robes – is secure… Read More »
Commentary: 30 years of German unity, fruit of a Christian revolution
Berlin, Germany, Oct 5, 2019 / 10:00 am (CNA).- Thirty years ago, prayers in St. Nicholas Church in Leipizig helped to bring about a peaceful revolution in the middle of Germany. That revolution finally swept away the wall – and with it the totalitarian rule of the socialist regime of the German Democratic Republic. It was… Read More »



