'Chasm' exists between Pope, liberation theology

May 16, 2013 - 08:04 pm .- Even though Pope Francis is deeply concerned for the poor and has been praised by liberation theologians, there is a stark divide between the pontiff and them, according to a Vatican analyst.

Catholic professor says IRS audit deterred her criticisms of Obama

May 16, 2013 - 05:18 pm .- A Catholic professor says that an IRS audit that may have been politically motivated made her much less likely to criticize President Barack Obama in her writings.

Judge drops charge against Bishop Finn, forcing settlement

May 16, 2013 - 04:38 pm .- A Missouri judge has dropped a charge that Bishop Robert Finn and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph aided and abetted a priest who possessed child pornography, though another charge remains and the diocese has settled a $600,000 lawsuit in the case.

Vatican official urges renewal of spouses' life-long 'yes'

May 16, 2013 - 04:12 pm .- Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said a cultural change is needed to recover the value and meaning of the life-long “yes” that spouses give each other in marriage. 

Venezuelan food shortage threatens supply of wine for Mass

May 16, 2013 - 12:16 pm .- Reporter Macky Arenas of the Catholic Lay Report said the serious food shortage in Venezuela could lead to a lack of wine and hosts for the celebration of Mass.

Pope: 'If we annoy people, blessed be the Lord'

May 16, 2013 - 10:40 am .- The Pope told Christians it is better to be “annoying” and “a nuisance” than lukewarm in proclaiming Jesus Christ.

Relations with China affect timing of Matteo Ricci cause

May 16, 2013 - 10:00 am .- Approval for the beatification of the Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, who ministered in China 500 years ago, depends to some degree on the Vatican’s relations with China.

'Money has to serve, not rule!' Pope tells new ambassadors

May 16, 2013 - 05:47 am .- Pope Francis told the new ambassadors to the Holy See from Kyrgyzstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Luxembourg and Botswana to use money to serve and asked them to help reform the world economy along “ethical lines.”

Vatican bank plans website launch, annual report

May 16, 2013 - 04:18 am .- The institution often called the Vatican bank will launch a new website and begin publishing its annual report, as it continues to improve its transparency and image.

Alabama charity restructures to better serve community

May 16, 2013 - 04:02 am .- Catholic Social Services of Mobile is undergoing a fund raising effort so that it can more effectively provide assistance to those in need in southern Alabama through a centralized office.

Britain urged to investigate murder of Irish human rights champion

May 16, 2013 - 02:13 am .- Witnesses and congressmen at a U.S. hearing renewed a call to the British government to launch a public inquiry into the 1989 murder of Northern Irish human rights leader Patrick Finucane.

Assisted suicide corrupts medicine, Vermont diocese warns

May 16, 2013 - 12:02 am .- The Vermont legislature passed a bill allowing physicians to approve lethal drugs for terminally ill patients to kill themselves, a move the local Catholic diocese said will have major consequences.

State Department asked to aid Chen Guangcheng's nephew

May 15, 2013 - 05:04 pm .- A bipartisan coalition of Congress members has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, calling for government action to protect the family members of Chinese pro-life leader Chen Guangcheng.

Clergy must be shepherds, not wolves, says Pope

May 15, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- Pope Francis said on Wednesday that bishops and priests must take care to avoid temptations in order to be an effective shepherd, protecting their flock from dangers.

Cardinal 'deeply' troubled by human cloning development

May 15, 2013 - 02:02 pm .- Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley called the successful production of embryonic stem cells by cloning human embryos an “abuse” which ignores the dignity and value of the human person.

Pope highlights religious freedom on Edict of Milan anniversary

May 15, 2013 - 01:31 pm .- Pope Francis stressed the importance of religious freedom in a message for the 1,700th anniversary of the Roman Emperor Constantine legalizing Christianity.  

Church movements bringing 50,000 more than Vatican expected

May 15, 2013 - 10:45 am .- The attendance response to a Pentecost weekend event for Church movements has exceeded the Vatican’s expectations by 50,000 people.

Cardinal O'Brien leaving Scotland for penance, prayer

May 15, 2013 - 09:39 am .- Cardinal Keith P. O’Brien will be spending several months in penance and prayer outside of Scotland after meeting with Pope Francis, according to the Vatican.

Holy Spirit leads to truth amid relativism, Pope counsels

May 15, 2013 - 04:42 am .- As he looked ahead to Pentecost, Pope Francis spoke about the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding Christians to know Jesus, who is the Truth, in an age of relativism.

Bangladesh tragedy sparks call for retail accountability

May 15, 2013 - 04:03 am .- After the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh which killed at least 1,127 workers, demands for better oversight from Western retailers as well as local manufacturers have been widespread.