Articles by Elise Harris
Vanity Fair ad takes '#MeToo' campaign to victims of religious violence
Jun 5, 2018 / 23:52 pmA new ad in the Italian edition of Vanity Fair magazine has given the global #MeToo movement another dimension, shining a spotlight on women who have suffered persecution, rape and violence due to their faith.
Pope offers prayer, solidarity for victims of Guatemala eruption
Jun 5, 2018 / 07:18 amWith the death count of a massive volcanic eruption in Guatemala already at 65, Pope Francis has offered his prayers for the victims, their families and the thousands who have lost their homes due to the calamity.
Pope Francis rejects German proposal for inter-communion
Jun 4, 2018 / 05:37 amOne month after Vatican and German delegates met in Rome to discuss a proposal put forward by German bishops to allow Protestant spouses in inter-denominational marriages to receive the Eucharist in certain circumstances, Pope Francis has rejected it.
Chilean abuse victims say Pope Francis listened to them
Jun 2, 2018 / 14:42 pmSurvivors of sexual abuse and other abuses perpetrated by Chile’s most notorious abuser priest, Fernando Karadima, met with Pope Francis Saturday. They said they found a pope who not only listened and suffered with them, but who truly understood the depth of the crisis and the steps that are needed going forward.
Pope names new bishop for Ruthenian eparchy in the US
Jun 1, 2018 / 07:29 amThe Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has tapped Slovakian-born Bishop Milan Lach S.J. as the new head of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma, which encompasses a large portion of the Midwest region of the United States.
Pope Francis 'ashamed' the Church didn't listen to Chilean abuse victims
May 31, 2018 / 11:05 amIn a letter to Catholics in Chile on Thursday, Pope Francis said he is ashamed of the Church's failure to listen to victims, and urged all the baptized to make a commitment to ending the culture of abuse and cover-up.
Pope Francis names apostolic visitor for pastoral care in Medjugorje
May 31, 2018 / 04:39 amPope Francis Thursday extended the mandate of his special envoy to Medjugorje, tasking him with oversight of the pastoral needs of both the local parish community, and pilgrims who come to visit the site of alleged Marian apparitions that took place in the city.
The Holy Spirit is the invisible gift of God, Pope Francis says
May 30, 2018 / 02:43 amPope Francis said Wednesday that confirmation is the sacrament in which Catholics are marked with a seal that solidifies their belonging to Christ through the Holy Spirit, who he said is God's invisible gift to each person who receives the sacrament.
Vatican hospital issues new charter on rights of 'incurable' children
May 29, 2018 / 12:33 pmA month after the death of UK toddler Alfie Evans, the Vatican's Bambino Gesu children's hospital issued a new charter on the “rights of the incurable child,” outlining basic rights for both parents and children.
God is not indifferent – he's close and personal, Pope Francis says
May 27, 2018 / 04:04 amPope Francis marked the feast of the Holy Trinity stressing the personal love and interest God has in each one of his children, saying the Lord is not ever far away, but is an attentive and loving Father to all.
Pope says 'false dichotomy' exists between religious ethics, business
May 26, 2018 / 03:24 amPope Francis Saturday criticized what he said is a “tragic” and false dichotomy that has been created between religious ethics and the economic-financial sector of society, telling business leaders that the two are not only compatible, but necessary for social advancement.
Pope makes surprise visit to school named after book-loving child
May 25, 2018 / 10:04 amIn his most recent “mercy Friday” outing, Pope Francis visited a school recently named after a little girl who passed away, but who left her mark on the institute when a international library was created in her honor.
Pope Francis sends poor, needy to major Roman sporting event
May 25, 2018 / 04:54 amNext week the poor, homeless, refugees, migrants and needy around Rome will be offered free tickets to the city's Golden Gala, an international sporting event that happens annually in the Eternal City.
Report: Pope Francis affirms Church practice against admitting gay men to seminary
May 24, 2018 / 10:08 amIn a closed-door speech to Italian bishops on Monday, Pope Francis reportedly spoke about the number and quality of seminary candidates, including concerns about their sexual orientation.
‘The most welcoming place’ - How the Church can reach out to the LGBT community
May 23, 2018 / 16:00 pmDaniel Mattson is accustomed to talking about same-sex attraction. He’s written a book on the subject, and he speaks to audience often about his experience as a Catholic striving to follow the Church’s teaching about chastity. In a recent interview with CNA, Mattson offered some lessons the Church can learn about engagement with the LGBT community.
Clerical abuse arose from misuse of authority, Chilean priest says
May 23, 2018 / 11:32 amOne of the Chilean priests affected by the abuses of Fr. Fernando Karadima who will meet with Pope Francis in June said Wednesday that such abuses stemmed from misuse of authority.
Chilean bishop suspends 12 priests, apologizes for not acting sooner
May 21, 2018 / 11:23 amOver the weekend, Chilean Bishop Alejandro Goić Karmelić suspended several priests after allegations of sexual misconduct were raised against them. He apologized for not following up when the accusations were first brought to his attention.
Pope Francis: Like Mary, the Church is a mother
May 21, 2018 / 08:53 amPope Francis celebrated the first feast of Mary, Mother of the Church Monday saying that without the emphasis placed on motherhood, the Church would be isolated, composed of no more than “old bachelors.”
All Chilean bishops present resignation, await decision from pope
May 18, 2018 / 05:44 amAt the close of their 3-day meeting with Pope Francis, all Chilean bishops asked victims of the country's abuse scandal for forgiveness and presented written resignations to the pope, who must decide whether to accept or reject them.
Pope to Chilean bishops: Serve Christ in victims of abuse
May 17, 2018 / 12:00 pmPope Francis thanked Chile's bishops for their “frank” dialogue during a 3-day Vatican meeting on the Chilean abuse scandals, and asked them to focus on serving abuse victims as they return to their dioceses and prepare to implement short and long term resolutions.