Articles by Mary Farrow
En route to US, Pope Francis rejects 'left-leaning' accusations
Sep 22, 2015 / 14:05 pmOn the papal flight from Cuba to Washington, D.C., where Pope Francis held the customary press conference with journalists on board, an Italian reporter posed a particularly tough question.
Move over Donald Trump – Pope Francis' approval ratings are much higher
Sep 21, 2015 / 14:49 pmPope Francis can look forward to a warm welcome in the United States this week, from both Catholic and non-Catholic Americans.
Iceland's new bishop inherits a turbulent, fascinating Catholic history
Sep 19, 2015 / 05:03 amThe Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has appointed Fr. David Tencer, O.F.M. Cap., as bishop of Reykjavik, Iceland.
How marriage prep is failing Catholics, and what we can do about it
Sep 18, 2015 / 03:02 amThe Church needs to seriously consider changing the way it approaches marriage preparation say John and Claire Grabowski, a couple who serve on the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Chicago archdiocese appoints Commonweal editor as new director of media
Sep 17, 2015 / 14:58 pmThe Archdiocese of Chicago on Thursday named Grant Gallicho as its director of publications and media, a newly created position. Effective Nov. 1, Gallicho’s duties in his new position will include reviewing the archdiocese’s publications strategy and managing its print and digital properties.
What's the point of education? Bishop Conley has some ideas
Sep 17, 2015 / 03:02 amBishop James Conley of Lincoln, Neb. vividly remembers his father asking him what on earth he planned to do with his English degree.
Women protect humanity against evil, Pope Francis says
Sep 16, 2015 / 10:19 amWomen have a special God-given role in protecting each generation against the evils of its time, Pope Francis said in characteristically off-the-cuff remarks during his weekly Wednesday general audience.
Knock knock. Who's there? Pope Francis, apparently.
Sep 15, 2015 / 03:01 amThe Pope, a priest, and Bill Murray walk into a bar…
Mother Teresa, and the Denver priest who was her kindred spirit
Sep 5, 2015 / 03:01 amMother Teresa visited Denver, Colo. twice in the 1980s. Both times, one of her biggest fans was tasked with picking her up from the airport.
Papal pop-by at Roman eyewear shop draws an enthusiastic crowd
Sep 3, 2015 / 14:49 pmEven the most ho-hum errands become extraordinary if it’s the Pope who’s running them.
The rise of millennial Catholic artists – and here's a chat with one of them
Aug 20, 2015 / 05:02 amLuke Spehar was an aspiring musician with a girlfriend when he couldn’t shake the feeling that God was calling him to enter the seminary and consider the priesthood.
A gruesome accident, a powerful faith – one Catholic couple's story
Aug 18, 2015 / 03:01 amIt was a cold December day in Nebraska, and Ashley Stevens was riding in a car with four other women.
If you won't help our people stay, help them leave - Catholic bishops from the Middle East
Aug 5, 2015 / 14:01 pmCatholic archbishops from Iraq and Syria said Tuesday that while they hope to help their people stay in the Middle East, they also believe those trying to leave are being unjustly discriminated against when applying for United States visas.
State pride, Knights of Columbus style
Aug 4, 2015 / 14:05 pmThe Knights of Columbus kicked off their 133rd annual supreme convention with the usual state-themed flair on Monday in Philadelphia.
Nuns, guns and the Wild West – the extraordinary tale of Sr. Blandina
Aug 1, 2015 / 03:03 amBilly the Kid, a notorious bank and stage-coach robber of the Wild West, met his match in the most unlikely of people when he met Sister Blandina Segale.
Exclusive: Essure victims plan hunger strike in front of FDA during Pope's visit
Jul 28, 2015 / 03:02 amLast month, it looked like the thousands of women who have suffered detrimental side effects from the birth control device “Essure” were finally being heard.
Byte-sized faith: Young priests launch new Catholic podcast
Jul 16, 2015 / 03:02 amPodcasts are arguably the greatest comeback-kids of the internet. Once thought to be slowing fading into oblivion, the boom of smartphones and Bluetooth technology, and hits like “Serial,” brought the medium back with a force.
Here’s what would happen if America's Catholic outreach disappeared
Jul 14, 2015 / 02:02 amA few months ago, Erin McCroy was walking the streets of Denver with Murphy, a 20-something missionary with Christ in the City, an outreach for people who are homeless.
Chewed or brewed: A brief history of Popes and coca leaves
Jun 30, 2015 / 15:21 pmPope Francis might chew coca leaves – or maybe sip coca tea – during his visit to Bolivia next week, the Vatican has said.
FDA announces additional risks of Essure birth control device
Jun 28, 2015 / 15:39 pmAfter receiving thousands of complaints about the adverse effects of the birth control implant Essure, the FDA announced late Wednesday that it has updated the list of risks and complications associated with the device, and that a public hearing would be held Sept. 24 to evaluate the product.