Articles by Elise Harris
Australian bishops apologize for Church's failure in sex abuse crisis
Feb 6, 2017 / 10:32 amDays before Australia’s Royal Commission on institutional sex abuse begins their final hearing into the Church’s response to their abuse crisis, the country’s bishops have issued several statements expressing sorrow for past failures, and committing to do more to protect children.
Pope Francis 'serene' after critical posters plastered around Rome
Feb 6, 2017 / 10:18 amWhile the Pope has in the past been depicted as a superhero or peace advocate, this weekend set a much different tone as Rome woke up Saturday to see the walls of the city center plastered with some 200 anti-Pope Francis posters.
Pope Francis has a special message for the Super Bowl
Feb 5, 2017 / 08:00 amAs the Patriots and the Falcons gear up for Super Bowl LI, Pope Francis sent a message to both players and viewers, saying the game is an opportunity to show solidarity and build virtue.
Pope: Be more than a mannequin when it comes to helping refugees
Feb 4, 2017 / 08:16 amIn his newest prayer video Pope Francis focused on the poor and refugees, saying we shouldn’t be like immobile mannequin’s when faced with their needs, but must instead reach out and help.
Pope names Archbishop Becciu personal delegate to Order of Malta
Feb 4, 2017 / 04:38 amPope Francis has named Archbishop Giovanni Becciu, substitute of the Secretariat of State, as his personal delegate to oversee the “spiritual and moral” reform of the Order of Malta, with particular attention to the professed members.
Bishop Fellay: Offer of personal prelature under consideration
Feb 3, 2017 / 07:30 amWhile divisions between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X still exist, representatives from both sides have said the proposal of a personal prelature appears to be the best option for manifesting unity, and steps are already being taken to study it.
Knights of Malta seek to reaffirm commitment to the poor
Feb 2, 2017 / 16:23 pmAfter a tense row with the Holy See led to the resignation of their Grand Master and the reinstatement of ousted Grand Chancellor Albrecht von Boeselager, the Order of Malta has reaffirmed their priorities amid the crisis, stressing that the poor must always be put first.
German bishops say the divorced-and-remarried may receive Communion
Feb 1, 2017 / 11:29 amThe German bishops have published their own guidelines on Amoris laetitia allowing, in certain cases, for divorced-and-remarried Catholics to receive Communion.
Cardinal Tobin praises Trump admin on pro-life stance, criticizes on immigration
Jan 31, 2017 / 16:28 pmIn the first days of U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark said he has seen encouragement on pro-life matters, but cause for concern when it comes to refugees.
Pope Francis to the laity: Go out and evangelize, or buy mothballs
Jan 29, 2017 / 22:01 pmWhen asked in a new interview what specific mission he has for the laity, Pope Francis responded with a frequent appeal: to go outside of oneself and take risks in evangelizing, rather than staying stuffed up at home while the moths move in.
Pope Francis: Spiritual poverty is a cure for polemics
Jan 29, 2017 / 09:09 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said being poor in spirit doesn’t necessarily mean giving things up, but instead is rooted in humility and openness to others – an attitude capable of overcoming polemics and division, and leading to greater fraternity.
Knights of Malta appoint interim leader, reinstate Grand Chancellor
Jan 28, 2017 / 09:46 amAfter Pope Francis asked Knights of Malta Grand Master Matthew Festing to resign earlier this week, the Order has accepted the resignation, named an interim leader and reinstated their former Grand Chancellor, Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager.
Pope: Everyone needs help living the faith – no one can do it alone
Jan 28, 2017 / 07:23 amOn Saturday, Pope Francis stressed the importance of having a solid guide in the spiritual life since no one – neither laity nor consecrated persons themselves – can stay faithful for long without help.
For Irish ambassador, Pope Francis' visit is a very big deal
Jan 27, 2017 / 06:02 amWith Pope Francis set to visit Ireland in 2018 – making him the first Pope to visit the country in nearly 40 years – Ireland's ambassador to the Holy See said it's an important trip, especially given the shared interest between the Vatican and Irish government on a number of key issues.
Modern martyrs exemplify true Christian unity, Pope says
Jan 27, 2017 / 05:08 amIn a speech to Catholic and Oriental Orthodox leaders, Pope Francis pointed, as he often does, to the example of Christian martyrs from various Churches, saying that in their death, those killed for their faith bear witness not only to Christ, but also the unity he prayed for.
Pope: Christian unity can't happen if we linger on problems of the past
Jan 25, 2017 / 10:20 amDuring an ecumenical Vespers service on Wednesday, Pope Francis told both Catholics and members of other Christian communities that unity can only happen when past grievances are forgiven and all sides walk forward with their gaze on Christ.
Knights of Malta Grand Master to resign at request of Pope Francis
Jan 25, 2017 / 02:29 amThe Knights of Malta have confirmed that Matthew Festing, the Prince and Grand Master of the Order, has agreed to submit his resignation after being asked to do so in a meeting with Pope Francis Tuesday.
There's a new leader of Opus Dei. Here's what he wants to do.
Jan 24, 2017 / 16:13 pmThe new head of Opus Dei has been confirmed by Pope Francis, and his plan for the prelature is simple.
Role of women a priority for Irish bishops during Vatican talks
Jan 24, 2017 / 06:02 amThe Irish bishops are just finishing up their first ad limina visit to Rome in 10 years – a time that’s been marked by a rapid increase in secularism, the legalization of same-sex marriage and the country's tragic clerical sex abuse crisis.
With an excess of bad news, Pope tells media to offer a message of hope
Jan 24, 2017 / 03:52 amIn his annual message to communicators around the world, Pope Francis again condemned the tendency for media to focus on the “bad news,” saying journalists, while being accurate, must also offer a message of hope.