Articles by Elise Harris
San Antonio's new auxiliary has a specialty in spiritual direction
Jan 23, 2017 / 08:24 amOn Monday, the Vatican announced that Msgr. Michael J. Boulette, founder of an organization dedicated entirely to giving spiritual direction and training spiritual directors, will now be an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Mafia crime is 'radically opposed' to the Gospel, Pope says
Jan 23, 2017 / 07:41 amFrequently an outspoken critic against organized crime, Pope Francis again came out with harsh words for those involved in the mafia and other criminal activities, which he said are “stained with blood” and go directly against the faith.
Pope Francis prays for Trump on his inauguration as US president
Jan 20, 2017 / 10:58 amPope Francis congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, praying that God will grant him wisdom and strength.
World Youth Day Panama will take place January 22-27
Jan 20, 2017 / 08:28 amOn Friday Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama officially announced the dates of the next World Youth Day, which is set to take place in January, rather than July as is usual, due to the weather.
This is the process for Opus Dei's election of a new prelate
Jan 19, 2017 / 09:56 amAfter the death of Opus Dei Prelate Bishop Javier Echevarría Rodríguez in December, members of the prelature are gathering in Rome in preparation for the election of their new leader, which will take place in the coming days.
Conversion is a prerequisite to ecumenism, Pope Francis says
Jan 19, 2017 / 03:42 amFor Pope Francis, personal conversion is pretty much the key to the Church’s success in all of her activities, from Church governance to pastoral work, from Curial reform to evangelization and dialogue.
Vatican unwavering in ongoing row with Knights of Malta
Jan 17, 2017 / 09:28 amIn the latest development in an ongoing feud between the Vatican and the Knights of Malta, the Holy See has issued a statement affirming their support for the Order and their work, but saying they expect full cooperation with an investigation into the dismissal of the Knights’ former Grand Chancellor.
If you're tempted to gossip, 'bite your tongue,' Pope Francis says
Jan 15, 2017 / 11:19 amPope Francis Sunday traveled to a parish on the outskirts of Rome where he visited a priest suffering from a severe form of ALS and celebrated Mass, warning parishioners, as he often does, of the harm gossiping does to a community.
Pope points to Mother Cabrini as prime model in caring for migrants
Jan 15, 2017 / 05:10 amOn the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis pointed to St. Frances Cabrini as an example of how to treat foreigners, calling her a “courageous” woman who knew how to bring God’s love to those who were lonely and in hardship.
Cardinal O’Malley appointed to Vatican office for Doctrine of the Faith
Jan 14, 2017 / 10:39 amOn Saturday it was announced that Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston has yet another reason to come to Rome, with his appointment as the newest member of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Middle East peace center of meeting between Francis, Abbas
Jan 14, 2017 / 05:47 amPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the Vatican Saturday before inaugurating his country’s new embassy to the Holy See, where he met with Pope Francis for a discussion focused largely on peace efforts in the Middle East.
Compassion should be heart of financial, political decisions, Pope says
Jan 14, 2017 / 04:52 amPope Francis Saturday warned of growing harmful trends throughout political and financial realms, pinning them on the negative effects of globalization and insisting that authentic compassion is the only thing that can really overcome indifference.
Maltese bishops: Divorced-and-remarried 'at peace with God' may receive Communion
Jan 13, 2017 / 11:31 amAs debate over Amoris laetitia continues to gain steam, the Maltese bishops have come out with a new set of pastoral guidelines allowing divorced-and-remarried persons in certain cases, after “honest discernment”, to receive Communion.
Youth to be protagonists in upcoming synod of bishops
Jan 13, 2017 / 06:33 amWith the 2014-2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family barely falling out of sight, the preparatory document for the next synod dedicated to youth has been released, indicating that young people will play an active role in both the preparation and the discussion.
Knights of Malta say leader's dismissal 'more complex' than condoms
Jan 12, 2017 / 10:25 amAfter former Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Malta Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager was dismissed in early December, many have pinpointed the decision to a contraception scandal related to a project he was overseeing.
Vatican ambassador predicts Trump will drop campaign rhetoric
Jan 11, 2017 / 16:14 pmKen Hackett is preparing to wrap up his term as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See as Donald Trump's presidential inauguration looms next week.
Pope Francis: having an abortion to keep your figure is a big problem
Jan 11, 2017 / 03:38 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis issued strong words against worshipping idols, cautioning against the false hope that beauty, wealth and power can give, but which lead a person to trust in empty promises rather than in the Lord.
Is unity the most important thing to Pope Francis?
Jan 9, 2017 / 16:04 pmPope Francis has decided to begin 2017 in much the same way as he did last year: praying for Christian unity.
Cardinal Mueller: There's no problem with doctrine in 'Amoris laetitia'
Jan 9, 2017 / 12:16 pmThe Vatican’s doctrinal head has challenged several cardinals' public questioning of the doctrinal validity of Amoris laetitia, saying the document is “very clear” on doctrine, and that making the discussion public is harmful to the Church.
Pope to diplomats: when it comes to politics, peace must be more than a theory
Jan 9, 2017 / 04:29 amFollowing a year marred by war and terrorism, Pope Francis told diplomats Monday that for 2017, peace has to be more than just an idea or a nice theory, but must be actively pursued with concrete policies aimed at promoting the common good and the dignity of the human person.