Catholic News Service

Franciscan is on a quest for bones of Albania’s martyrs
- May 21, 2016
SHKODER, Albania — Human bones, old shoes and deteriorating priest collars fill cardboard boxes in the office of Franciscan Brother Vincenzo Foca, an Italian who lives and works in Shkoder. The “relics” belong to Catholics killed under Albania’s previous Communist, staunchly atheist regime, Foca explained to Catholic News Service on

By Catholic News Service
Audit of bishops’ anti-abuse efforts warns of complacency
- May 21, 2016
WASHINGTON— An annual report on implementation of the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” warns against complacency, while a firm contracted to conduct audits of dioceses and parishes said there was “plenty of room for improvement” in implementing two of the charter’s articles. In remarks

By Catholic News Service
Pope rules Vatican okay needed to launch diocesan religious order
- May 20, 2016
VATICAN CITY — Diocesan bishops must consult with the Vatican before establishing a diocesan religious order, Pope Francis ruled. The consultation “is to be understood as necessary for the validity of the erection of a diocesan institute of consecrated life,” said the rescript or ruling approved by Pope Francis April

By Catholic News Service

Dublin prelate says pope will visit Ireland in 2018
- May 20, 2016
DUBLIN — Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin confirmed that Pope Francis, or his successor, will visit Ireland in 2018 for the World Meeting of Families. Martin confirmed that when he discussed the issue of visiting Ireland with the pontiff, Pope Francis said: “‘I will come’, and he said, ‘if I

By Catholic News Service
Do not give in to fear of immigrants, pope tells diplomats
- May 19, 2016
VATICAN CITY — While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence and persecution as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said Thursday. In a speech May 19 to six new ambassadors to the Holy See,

By Catholic News Service
Top Italian bishop pushes back against new civil unions law
- May 19, 2016
VATICAN CITY — In recognizing civil unions of heterosexual and homosexual couples, the Italian government has equated those unions to marriage, said the head of the Italian bishops’ conference. While some supporters of the new law, which passed the legislature May 11, insisted the law did not recognize gay marriage,

By Catholic News Service