Articles by Elise Harris
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, disgraced Scottish prelate, dies at 80
Mar 19, 2018 / 06:49 amCardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, who stepped down as Archbishop of Edinburgh in 2013 after admitting to inappropriate sexual conduct throughout his ministry, died Monday at the age of 80.
The theological formation of Pope Francis
Mar 17, 2018 / 05:00 amA recent letter from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has become the subject of controversy, after a Vatican office admitted to releasing a photo of the letter blurring some lines.
How one nun's lifelong service changed Australia's Tiwi community
Mar 13, 2018 / 23:10 pmFor Sr. Anne Gardiner, a 62-year-long mission serving Australia's remote Tiwi indigenous population began with one simple instruction: “Love them.”
Cardinal Karl Lehmann, influential German prelate, dies at 81
Mar 11, 2018 / 06:21 amCardinal Karl Lehmann, Archbishop Emeritus of Mainz and one of the most prominent leaders in the German Church known for his ecumenical work, died at his home Sunday morning at the age of 81.
Pope Francis: Christianity isn't a 'shortcut' – it takes faith, morals
Mar 11, 2018 / 04:12 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said that to be a Christian isn't easy, but means having faith and striving to live a moral life even when it's hard, trusting in God and his love during moments of weakness and anxiety.
Syria is a new 'massacre of the innocents,' nuncio says
Mar 9, 2018 / 15:54 pmAs the number of civilian victims in Syria's bloody civil war continues to climb, Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio in Syria, said the situation is “hell on earth,” especially for vulnerable children.
Dialogue must serve truth, Catholic leader says in response to women's conference
Mar 9, 2018 / 09:55 amA women’s conference in Rome this week called for changes in Church teaching that organizers say would promote equality, but the head of a Catholic women’s organization cautioned that true equality must adhere to truth.
Vatican confirms papal visit to Baltic nations in September
Mar 9, 2018 / 04:12 amRumors of a papal visit to the Baltic states this year have been going around for months, however, the Vatican confirmed the news Friday, announcing that Pope Francis will visit Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in September.
Mother Teresa was heroic – but maybe not for the reasons you think
Mar 8, 2018 / 11:50 amThere are many things about Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta that could be called heroic – her tireless service to the world's most rejected and her courageous witness to millions of what it is to live the Gospel, just to name a couple.
Insides that didn't decompose – and other stunning facts about Oscar Romero
Mar 8, 2018 / 02:49 amIn his role as Vicar General, Monsignor Ricardo Urioste was one of the closest collaborators of Oscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador who was martyred for the faith in 1980 and beatified in 2015.
Vatican aims to 'change the narrative' on migrants, refugees
Mar 7, 2018 / 21:08 pmFor the Vatican's point man on migration, ever since the crisis reached a fever pitch in 2015, the mass movement of people has been painted in an overly negative, ominous and threatening light – a narrative he says needs to change.
It's official: Paul VI and Oscar Romero will be canonized
Mar 7, 2018 / 05:17 amThe Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis has recognized a second miracle allowing five people on the path to sainthood to be canonized, the most prominent being Bl. Pope Paul VI and Bl. Oscar Romero.
Mass can't be bought – salvation is free, Pope Francis says
Mar 7, 2018 / 03:24 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis issued a harsh critique of the trend to ask parishioners for a financial contribution in order to have Mass said for a loved one, saying that to make a personal offering is fine, but the liturgy should never have a price tag.
Pope, Austrian Chancellor discuss migration, nuclear disarmament
Mar 5, 2018 / 07:32 amOn Monday, Pope Francis and Europe's youngest political leader met at the Vatican, where they discussed an array of issues including migration, nuclear disarmament and the need to promote peace and solidarity.
This little pilgrim got a big blessing from Pope Francis
Mar 3, 2018 / 03:15 amWhen pilgrims in the Eternal City hope to get an up-close view of the pope, or even shake his hand, they are usually advised to arrive at the Vatican early, to sit next to the barrier and, most importantly, to find a baby.
Cardinal Koch: Geneva visit a sign of Pope's emphasis on ecumenism
Mar 2, 2018 / 14:12 pmOn Friday, the Vatican's point-man on interreligious dialogue said Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Geneva, which will have a largely ecumenical theme, is a prime example of just how important the topic is for the current pontificate.
It's confirmed: Pope Francis is going to Geneva June 21
Mar 2, 2018 / 04:21 amOn Friday, the Vatican confirmed an earlier announcement by the Swiss government that Pope Francis will visit Switzerland in June to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches.
Vatican letter says modern individualism reflects ancient heresies
Mar 1, 2018 / 05:57 amA new letter issued by the Vatican's doctrinal office has reaffirmed that Christian salvation can only come through Christ and the Church, and highlighted modern expressions of Pelagian and Gnostic thought which contradict this belief.
Cardinal Zen calls China deal 'suicide,' blames papal advisors
Feb 28, 2018 / 09:56 amIn a recent blog post Cardinal Joseph Zen has issued another harsh critique of the rumored Vatican-China deal on the appointment of bishops, calling it an act of “suicide” and a “shameless surrender” to the communist government.
Papal advisers focus on reducing cost, accelerating response to abuse
Feb 28, 2018 / 08:41 amIn their latest round of meetings, Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals discussed several key topics related to episcopal conferences, the need to lower costs inside the Vatican, and efforts to speed up procedures dealing with cases of abuse.