Spanish bishop exhorts faithful to speak out against abortion

May 17, 2013 - 12:02 pm .- Bishop Demetrio Fernandez of Cordoba, Spain, is calling on the faithful not to remain silent about the genocide of abortion and to work for “policies inspired in the culture of life.”

Pope's plan to visit Bonaria shrine thrills pastor

May 17, 2013 - 05:05 am .- Father Giovannino Tolu said his heart began racing when he heard that Pope Francis will the visit the shrine he oversees on the Italian island of Sardinia, making it the fourth time he has received a pontiff.

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. 

Tango dancer dedicates performance at St. Peter's to Pope

May 14, 2013 - 04:05 pm .- A professional Argentine dancer, who recently travelled to Rome to see his fellow countryman, Pope Francis, hopes to one day perform for the Holy Father in person.

Pontificate of Pope Francis consecrated to Our Lady of Fatima

May 14, 2013 - 12:01 pm .- At the Holy Father’s personal request, Cardinal Jose Polycarp, the Patriarch of Lisbon, consecrated the pontificate of Pope Francis to Our Lady of Fatima on her feast day.

Board game created by nun becomes a hit in Spain

May 13, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- A new faith-based board game created by a Spanish nun has become one of the most popular First Communion gifts in Spain this year.

Italian pro-lifers hope Rome march has global reach

May 13, 2013 - 04:39 am .- The main organizer of Italy’s March for Life hopes that its location in Rome means it has global influence by sending “a message to the whole Christian world.”

Mass held in Rome for kidnapped Syrian bishops

May 11, 2013 - 11:39 am .- Eastern Catholic clergy celebrated a Mass in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin to pray for two archbishops and two priests who remain the hostages of rebels in Syria.

Thousands expected at March for Life in Rome

May 9, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- More than 15,000 people are expected to gather outside the historic Roman Coliseum on May 12 to take part in the third March for Life.

Ethicist lauds Ireland's ruling against assisted suicide

May 8, 2013 - 02:02 am .- The finding of the Irish Supreme Court that citizens have no right to assisted suicide is being welcomed by an ethicist and healthcare professional as an affirmation of the value of human life.

Theologian dismisses call for women 'deacons'

May 3, 2013 - 02:02 am .- Theologian Father Manfred Hauke said recent comments from a German archbishop appearing to support a particular diaconate for women are confusing to Catholics and others.

Council of Europe hailed for religious freedom resolution

Apr 30, 2013 - 04:02 am .- A resolution passed by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly is being lauded as an important – although limited – recognition of religious and conscience rights in the public sphere.  

Court protects Scottish midwives from abortion involvement

Apr 25, 2013 - 12:05 pm .- Two Scottish midwives won an appeal on April 24 against a court's decision forcing them to indirectly take part in abortions against their will.

Feminist group hurls water, insults at archbishop

Apr 24, 2013 - 04:13 pm .- Four semi-nude feminist protestors attacked Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard of Malinas-Brussels during a recent conference on freedom of expression.

Debate, protests mark legalization of gay marriage in France

Apr 23, 2013 - 12:41 pm .- After months of debate and massive protests, the National Assembly in France passed President Francois Hollande's “marriage for all” bill in to law on April 23.

Nearly 15,000 French mayors will refuse to marry gay couples

Apr 19, 2013 - 04:12 pm .- A group of at least 14,900 French mayors has said it will not perform “gay marriages,” even if the government moves ahead with plans to legalize the practice.

Italian bishops launch TV program on stunning cathedral

Apr 19, 2013 - 02:03 am .- The Italian bishops' conference have produced a twelve-part television series presenting the Creed from  Sicily's Monreale cathedral, a 12th century church covered in rich mosaics which explain the faith.

Protest launched over clerical sex abuse video game

Apr 17, 2013 - 04:04 pm .- Spanish civil rights groups have launched a campaign calling for the removal of a video game based on clerical sex abuse, in which a Pope figure coordinates abuse and tries to avoid being caught by reporters.  

Pope to visit Rome center for undocumented refugees

Apr 9, 2013 - 12:02 pm .- A priest in Rome says Pope Francis personally called him to say he will visit the Astalli Center, a local facility run by the Jesuits, that helps thousands of undocumented refugees – many with tragic histories.

Margaret Thatcher a 'staunch family champion,' ambassador says

Apr 9, 2013 - 10:45 am .- After Pope Francis praised the Christian ethics of the late Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the British ambassador to the Holy See emphasized her strong defense of family values.