Articles by Elise Harris
Dialogue with the Islamic State? Not likely, says Cardinal Parolin
Oct 29, 2015 / 14:03 pmCardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said that while interreligious dialogue is important, it’s not likely possible with fundamentalist groups because they aren’t interested in building the necessary relationships.
Africa abuzz ahead of Pope’s visit, Ugandan archbishop says
Oct 29, 2015 / 06:45 amAs his country gets ready to receive their spiritual ‘grandfather,’ Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu, Uganda said Pope Francis’ coming visit to Africa is a moment of both excitement and busy preparation.
Rabbi: From John XXIII to Francis, Catholic relations with Judaism have improved
Oct 29, 2015 / 02:02 amFifty years ago the way the Catholic Church related with other religions changed forever when the Second Vatican Council declaration Nostra aetate sparked a wave of unprecedented welcome – a revolution one rabbi says has gained steam with every Pope since.
Existing norms remain for Roman Curia, Pope says
Oct 27, 2015 / 13:59 pmPope Francis has clarified that while the Roman Curia is in the process of being reconstructed, it doesn’t mean there is an absence of law or regulations – the existing rules are still in place, for now.
Pope Francis grieves loss of life in Afghanistan-Pakistan quake
Oct 27, 2015 / 11:45 amAfter a massive earthquake rocked Pakistan and Afghanistan yesterday killing hundreds, Pope Francis on Tuesday voiced his sorrow and solidarity for victims and their families, assuring them of his prayers.
Pope Francis expected to visit Italian diocese of Milan in May
Oct 27, 2015 / 08:42 amMilan’s archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Scola, made an informal announcement Tuesday that Pope Francis will visit the archdiocese May 7, marking the first papal visit there since 2012.
With a child's touch, sculpture seeks to comfort those who mourn abortion
Oct 24, 2015 / 15:47 pmFive years ago a young Slovakian artist set out to create a statue that would offer hope and healing to post-abortive women suffering from pain and regret – and the project would touch hearts around the world.
Final synod document strongly backs Church teaching, beauty of family life
Oct 24, 2015 / 15:39 pmWith a two-thirds majority vote, the more than 200 bishops gathered for the Vatican's synod on the family supported Church teaching on hot-button issues such as homosexuality and communion for divorced and remarried persons.
The problem of porn – are bishops talking about it?
Oct 23, 2015 / 03:06 amIt hasn't gotten a lot of media coverage so far, but the rampant affects of pornography on families worldwide has sparked concern and dialogue among the synod's bishops – particularly the Americans.
Synod finds strong support for Church teaching in communion debate
Oct 21, 2015 / 09:17 amDespite pastoral challenges posed by divorced-and-civilly-remarried Catholics, many synod fathers are in favor of current Church teaching and practice according to a new round of small group reports.
That notorious 2014 synod report? We got it an hour after the media did, cardinal says
Oct 20, 2015 / 09:26 amCardinal Wilfrid Napier says the highly controversial midterm report from last year's synod gave weight to issues discussed by only “two or three” people, and was unseen by most synod fathers until after it hit mainstream media.
Pope prays for peace in the Holy Land amid escalating violence
Oct 18, 2015 / 08:40 amFollowing multiple knife attacks in the Holy Land this weekend, Pope Francis has appealed for courage and strength in bringing an end to violence and the desire for revenge.
Pope Francis: Four new saints point to humility – not worldly power
Oct 18, 2015 / 02:45 amOn Sunday Pope Francis canonized four new saints, whose greatest legacy he said was their tireless imitation of Jesus in humble service to others, which is something each of us are asked to emulate.
A tough synod topic: the 'silent martyrdom' of incest, abuse in families
Oct 16, 2015 / 10:02 amViolence, incest and sexual abuse within the family were among the issues addressed by synod fathers in their most recent talks, as well as the Church's role in bringing light to difficult situations.
Pope Francis makes secret stop at new dorms for Rome's homeless
Oct 16, 2015 / 03:42 amAfter last night’s synod session Pope Francis didn’t go back to his residence at the St. Martha house as usual, but instead decided to pop by the Vatican’s new dormitory for homeless men.
Do aliens exist? Pope Francis tackles this (and other things) in new interview
Oct 15, 2015 / 10:31 amPope Francis discussed in a new interview topics ranging from his reasons for canonizing the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, to his thoughts on whether there could be life on other planets.
We need to be clear on what marriage actually is, synod bishops insist
Oct 14, 2015 / 08:45 amNumerous bishops voiced alarm over the lack of a clear definition of marriage in the synod’s controversial guiding text, prompting a call for one based on scripture and Church teaching to be added.
Violent marriages: A woman's quest to help synod bishops grasp the issue
Oct 13, 2015 / 14:02 pmChristauria Welland is a clinical psychologist who's worked with both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence – and with one in three women worldwide suffering from abuse at the hands of a partner, her goal is to make sure bishops know about the problem.
From the synod: Mercy is not an abandonment of Church teaching
Oct 10, 2015 / 11:48 amMercy has emerged as a major theme in the synod of bishops, as discussion has moved forward with many participants emphasizing that while mercy is greatly needed, it must always be linked to truth.
Pope Francis leads synod in praying for peace in the Middle East
Oct 9, 2015 / 15:56 pmThis morning, Pope Francis offered one of the synod’s daily moments of prayer for peace in the Middle East, and appealed the international community to put immediate interests aside, and find solutions.