Motherhood Archives

Against all odds, women take star turns at bishops’ anti-abuse summit

Feb 24, 2019

As Pope Francis’s summit on the protection of minors is set to conclude, women have had a leading voice in the discussion, giving several keynote speeches urging greater accountability, transparency and ownership of the problem of child sexual abuse at a global level.

By Elise Harris

Migrants show the West the real face of motherhood, Vatican official says

Nov 11, 2018

One of a few high-ranking women in the Roman Curia has said western mothers ought to take notes from migrants, whose stories she says often appear to have a more balanced concept of motherhood.

By Elise Harris

First step of sainthood for woman who refused cancer treatment for unborn child

Jul 18, 2018

A formal call for testimony has been issued, the first step of an investigation into the possible sainthood of Chiara Corbella Petrillo, a young Italian mother who died in 2012.

By Catholic News Agency

Artificial wombs: Assisting or replacing?

May 11, 2017

Technology is advancing in the area of ‘ectogenesis’: The ability for a baby to develop outside of the womb. Although the technology could eventually be helpful for a baby born very premature and at real risk of death, there is a danger of forgetting pregnancy is a core aspect of motherhood that grounds each of us socially in the world into which we are born.

By Dr. Helen Watt

Why paid family leave serves justice for women, the family and life

Apr 17, 2017

The United States is the only industrial country which does not have mandatory paid maternity leave. Doing so, in addition to fulfilling the requirements of justice for women, will also advance the Church’s concern for the family and for life by saving the lives of prenatal children. Paid family leave is solidly rooted in Catholic social teaching, including the 1981 social encyclical of St. John Paul II, ‘Laborem Exercens.”

By Charles C. Camosy

All priests, saints and strugglers alike, need our prayers

Jun 12, 2016

In a conversation with Kathryn Jean Lopez, Kathleen Beckman, author of “Praying for Priests,” says, “Christ gives priests his Sacred Heart with which to love the human family, and in turn, God’s family should love their priests.”

By Kathryn Jean Lopez