Articles by Courtney Mares
Rwanda’s first cardinal sees family as key to planting the seeds of peace
Dec 1, 2020 / 09:00 amRwanda’s first cardinal lost seven members of his immediate family in the 1994 genocide. Now he is using his role as archbishop of Kigali to plant “seeds of peace” by promoting the family as the foundation for building a peaceful future.
French Catholic bishops win appeal against 30-person Mass limit
Nov 30, 2020 / 10:00 amThe French Council of State has ruled that a proposed 30-person limit on Masses and other forms of public worship is a “disproportionate” government measure and must be modified by Dec. 2.
Pope Francis briefed on Lebanon’s ‘bitter economic crisis’ by Maronite patriarch
Nov 30, 2020 / 07:30 amPope Francis met with Lebanon’s Maronite patriarch at the Vatican this weekend and told the pope of the challenges facing Lebanon as it experiences political instability and a “bitter economic crisis.”
Pope Francis asks for prayer for Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region
Nov 29, 2020 / 08:30 amPope Francis has asked people to pray for Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where the United Nations has said that “a full-scale humanitarian crisis is unfolding.”
Pope Francis: 'Advent is the season for remembering the closeness of God'
Nov 29, 2020 / 05:40 amOn the first Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis recommended a traditional Advent prayer to invite God to draw close during this new liturgical year.
French bishops launch second legal appeal to reinstate public Masses for all
Nov 27, 2020 / 13:00 pmThe French bishops’ conference announced Friday that it would submit another appeal to the Council of State, calling the proposed 30-person limit on public Masses during Advent “unacceptable.”
Artist offers to restore beheaded statue of Virgin Mary in Germany
Nov 27, 2020 / 10:20 amAn art restorer in Germany has offered to restore a decapitated statue of the Virgin Mary free of charge.
Catholic archbishop: Pray for priest kidnapped in Nigeria
Nov 27, 2020 / 08:20 amA Nigerian archbishop has asked for prayers for the safe release of a priest kidnapped in Abuja earlier this week.
Twitter criticized as ‘Burn the clergy’ hashtag trends in Spain
Nov 25, 2020 / 12:00 pmOn the same day that Pope Francis approved the beatification of 127 Catholics killed in Spain in hatred of the faith in the 20th century, a hashtag calling for Catholic priests to be burned was trending on Twitter in Spain.
French bishops press government to review 30-person Mass limit
Nov 25, 2020 / 07:00 amAfter a strong reaction by French Catholics to the government’s decision Tuesday night to limit Mass attendance to 30 people per church during Advent, French bishops are in negotiations with the government to determine a more “realistic gauge” for a gradual resumption of public Masses.
Patriarch Pizzaballa entrusts new mission to prayer of contemplative orders
Nov 24, 2020 / 12:00 pmPatriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa has entrusted his new mission as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to the prayer of contemplative religious orders in the Holy Land.
Pope Francis and NBA players discuss social justice in Vatican meeting
Nov 23, 2020 / 12:00 pmPope Francis met with five NBA players at the Vatican Monday to discuss their efforts to combat social and economic injustice in the United States.
Franciscan friar named cardinal says he is taking a leap into the deep
Nov 23, 2020 / 07:05 amFranciscan friar Mauro Gambetti was ordained a bishop Sunday afternoon in Assisi less than a week before he will become a cardinal.
Swedish parish holds day of penance and fasting after church vandalism
Nov 20, 2020 / 12:00 pmChrist the King parish in Gothenburg, Sweden, is holding a day of penance and fasting Friday in reparation for the vandalism of their church.
Pope Francis tells Latin American leaders to resist corruption during the pandemic
Nov 20, 2020 / 12:00 pmPope Francis has called on leaders in Latin America to not politicize the coronavirus pandemic, urging them to seek the common good over personal interest.
Cardinal Parolin highlights recently found 1916 Vatican letter condemning anti-Semitism
Nov 20, 2020 / 06:30 amThe Vatican Secretary of State said Thursday that “a living and faithful common memory” is an indispensable tool to fight anti-Semitism.
Economy of Francesco speaker Jeffrey Sachs an advocate for contraception and 'reproductive justice'
Nov 19, 2020 / 13:50 pmThe Economy of Francesco summit kicked off Thursday with economist Jeffrey Sachs serving as a mentor for young “changemakers” to create a new world economy. Sachs, who has participated in numerous Vatican events in recent years, is an advocate for population control initiatives calling for the provision of contraception in the developing world, and a supporter of U.N. initiatives that call for universal access to abortion.
New book highlights St. John Paul II’s influence amid Cold War
Nov 18, 2020 / 13:00 pmA new book on St. John Paul II examines the relationship of the Polish pope with Central and Eastern European countries during the Cold War.
Pope Francis: Mary teaches us to pray with a heart open to God’s will
Nov 18, 2020 / 06:00 amPope Francis pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of prayer that transforms restlessness into openness to God’s will in his livestreamed message for the Wednesday general audience.
More than 500 hate crimes against Europe’s Christians recorded in 2019
Nov 17, 2020 / 14:00 pmThe Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has published data documenting more than 500 hate crimes against Christians in Europe in 2019.