Articles by Courtney Mares
South Korean bishop weighs in on Trump-Kim summit
Feb 27, 2019 / 15:01 pmAs U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet in Vietnam this week, a South Korean archbishop sees the host country as a model for the development of economic and religious freedoms in the isolated country.
Pope Francis: Evil’s days are numbered
Feb 27, 2019 / 03:11 amPope Francis said Wednesday that evil is limited compared to the expanding force of God’s holiness in the world.
Pope’s Lenten message focuses on renewal of creation
Feb 26, 2019 / 09:58 amThe redemption of creation takes center stage in Pope Francis’ Lenten message this year, which connects man’s sinfulness to environmental issues.
Pope Francis: Church will focus on 8 points in 'all-out battle' against abuse
Feb 24, 2019 / 04:46 amPope Francis Sunday outlined eight points that the Church will focus on in an “all-out battle” against the sexual abuse of minors to, he said, “turn this evil into an opportunity for purification.”
Cardinal Marx: Transparency is decisive in the credibility of the Church
Feb 23, 2019 / 11:29 amCardinal Reinhard Marx said Saturday that administration and transparency will be key to rebuilding the trustworthiness and credibility of the Church after its mishandling of past cases of clerical sexual abuse.
O'Malley defends 'zero tolerance' approach to abusive priests
Feb 22, 2019 / 16:00 pmCardinals and clergy participating in the Vatican’s sex abuse summit expressed conflicting views on the use of the term “zero tolerance” Friday, with some claiming that “zero tolerance” is an American concept with a legalistic focus.
Women of Catholic Worker Movement on prayerful pilgrimage for abuse summit
Feb 22, 2019 / 05:02 amAmerican women from the Catholic Worker Movement are in Rome this week to pray for the Vatican’s sexual abuse summit in emulation of Dorothy Day’s Roman pilgrimage to fast and pray for peace.
Polish sex abuse victims meet Pope Francis, release abuse report
Feb 21, 2019 / 14:16 pmA Polish delegation of sex abuse victims and advocates met Pope Francis Wednesday, and presented the pope with a report documenting alleged clergy sexual abuse cases and cover-up throughout their country.
Victims from Africa, Asia at Vatican to call for 'zero tolerance' of abuse cover-up
Feb 20, 2019 / 16:40 pmWhile studying at an African minor seminary at the age of 14, Benjamin Kitobo says he was abused by a Belgian priest, who had been sent to Africa after previously abusing children in Europe.
A look ahead at this week's Vatican sex abuse meeting
Feb 18, 2019 / 11:30 amThe Vatican has released the schedule, speakers, and a new website for this week’s much-anticipated sex abuse summit, which will focus on episcopal transparency and accountability for the protection of minors.
Ahead of summit, Cupich discusses sex abuse, homosexuality, priestly formation
Feb 18, 2019 / 10:15 amCardinal Blase Cupich said Monday that this week’s Vatican sex abuse summit needs to be focused on the protection of minors, underscoring that homosexuality is not a cause of sexual abuse.
Pope Francis: Be not afraid of migrants
Feb 15, 2019 / 10:05 amPope Francis said Friday that people need to overcome their fear of migrants and refugees, and look for the face of Christ in each immigrant arriving in their countries.
Pope Francis: 'Inequality is disastrous for the future of humanity'
Feb 15, 2019 / 06:13 amPope Francis spoke out about inequality, the environment, sustainable development and the elimination of poverty during his visit to the United Nations’ agricultural development agency in Rome Thursday.
In leaked letter to 'Mr. Maduro,' Pope Francis reiterates call for peace
Feb 13, 2019 / 11:30 amOn Feb. 13, the Milan daily newspaper Corriere Della Sera published a report saying that the pope had written to Maduro reiterating his desire for the avoidance of violence in the country.
Pope Francis: There is no 'I' in the 'Our Father'
Feb 13, 2019 / 03:17 amPope Francis said Wednesday that one’s prayer should always be a dialogue with God with charitable consideration for others’ needs.
Holy See receives Venezuelan opposition delegation
Feb 11, 2019 / 12:26 pmThe Vatican Secretariat of State received Monday a delegation from Venezuela affiliated with opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by the United States and a dozen other countries as the country’s interim president.
Pope Francis to discuss 'Veritatis Gaudium' in Naples
Feb 11, 2019 / 06:49 amThe Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis will travel to Naples in June to discuss the impact of the apostolic constitution, Veritatis Gaudium, on theological studies.
Pope Francis: Pray with St. Bakhita for the end of human trafficking
Feb 10, 2019 / 04:10 amPope Francis called Sunday for an end to human trafficking, encouraging Catholics to pray for the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron of trafficking victims.
Pope Francis celebrates Missionaries of Africa's 150 years of service
Feb 8, 2019 / 11:19 amIn mid-nineteenth century Algeria, a French bishop sought to share the Gospel among the local Africans living in his diocese by forming a community that adopted the traditional dress in Algiers -- a white cassock with a red fez.
St. Paul VI’s feast to be celebrated May 29
Feb 6, 2019 / 05:53 amThe Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope St. Paul VI’s feast day will be celebrated annually on May 29 as an optional memorial.