Articles by Courtney Mares
South Korean bishop: Before Pope Francis plans a trip, ‘some things in North Korea should change’
Oct 11, 2018 / 13:00 pmBishop Yoo Heung Sik of Daejeon, who has made multiple trips to North Korea on behalf of the South Korean Bishops Conference, originally welcomed the news that South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong Un had discussed inviting Pope Francis to visit the DPRK during their meeting in late-September.
Pope Francis: Abortion is like hiring a hitman
Oct 10, 2018 / 03:04 amIn his general audience Wednesday, Pope Francis said that abortion “suppresses innocent and helpless life in its blossoming.” “Is it right to take a human life to solve a problem? It's like hiring a hitman,” Pope Francis said in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 10, in a departure from his prepared remarks.
Cardinal Lacroix: Young people, clerics included, need better formation on sexuality
Oct 9, 2018 / 12:24 pmYoung Catholics, particularly clerics, need better formation on sexuality, affectivity, and the body, Cardinal Gérald Lacroix told reporters Tuesday, speaking about the 2018 Synod of Bishops.
Kim Jong Un invites Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang
Oct 9, 2018 / 04:40 amNorth Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, a South Korean spokesman said Tuesday. Pope Francis is already set to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in Oct. 18 for an audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, where Moon will personally deliver the invitation from Kim Jong Un.
Youth synod bishop apologizes to young people on behalf of Church leaders
Oct 5, 2018 / 09:26 amArchbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney apologized to young people on behalf of Church leaders in a speech at the Synod of Bishops Friday.
Youth synod bishop: The world is rich in technology & poor in principles
Oct 4, 2018 / 09:00 amA Polish archbishop participating in the Vatican synod on youth said Thursday that today’s young people have benefited from technological progress, but face a world that is “poorer in principles.” Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki of Poznan discussed technology and ethics during his homily at an Oct.4 Mass celebrated at the tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis donates for Indonesia earthquake recovery
Oct 4, 2018 / 04:03 amPope Francis donated to recovery efforts in Indonesia after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the Sulawesi coast leaving at least 1,400 people dead.
Pope Francis calls for a youth synod 'anointed by hope'
Oct 3, 2018 / 03:02 amPope Francis began the Synod on young people Oct. 3 with a homily calling for the Holy Spirit to renew hope and dynamism in the Church.
Catholics in Korea look to martyrs amid nuclear negotiations with Pyongyang
Sep 20, 2018 / 14:42 pmAs nuclear negotiations with North Korea continue, Catholics in South Korea are encouraging devotion to their martyr saints and renewing prayers for peace on the peninsula.
Archbishop McCarrick’s unofficial role in Vatican-China relations
Sep 17, 2018 / 07:05 amOver 20 years, Archbishop McCarrick traveled to China on at least eight occasions, sometimes staying in a state-controlled Beijing seminary, often serving as an unofficial bridge between the Vatican and Chinese government-appointed bishops until 2016.
Mystic and religious founder Mother Alphonse Marie beatified in Strasbourg, France
Sep 14, 2018 / 07:45 amThe nineteenth century French mystic and religious founder was beatified this week in her native Strasbourg after a miraculous physical healing through her intercession was confirmed.
As US closes Palestinian office, Catholics urge that Palestinian voices be heard in peace process
Sep 10, 2018 / 15:38 pmThe U.S. State Department announced today Monday it will close the Palestinian Liberation Organization office in Washington because it says Palestine has failed to take “steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.”
Russians hacked Catholic, Orthodox clergy amid Ukrainian push for autocephaly
Sep 7, 2018 / 10:27 amRussian hackers infiltrated the email inboxes of Orthodox, Catholic, and other religious leaders connected to Ukraine amid conflict between Kyiv and Moscow over Ukraine's political and religious independence.
Australian bishops defend seal of confession in response to sex abuse report
Aug 31, 2018 / 16:00 pmAustralian bishops have accepted the vast majority of recommendations made after a five-year investigation into sexual abuse in the country.
Chinese state media denies imminent plans to end two-child policy
Aug 31, 2018 / 13:30 pmAn official Chinese state media outlet has denied any imminent change to the country’s national two-child policy. The announcement follows media speculation that such a change was being considered in response to China’s rapidly aging population.
South Korea labels abortion an 'immoral medical action'
Aug 30, 2018 / 15:47 pmThe South Korean government included abortion in a list of “immoral medical actions” earlier this month as the country’s abortion law was revised to enable authorities to suspend medical professionals for performing abortions illegally.
Viganò denies accusations of obstruction in Nienstedt investigation
Aug 28, 2018 / 17:15 pmArchbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has released a statement responding to accusations that he had curtailed an investigation in 2014 into the sexual misconduct of Archbishop John C. Nienstedt.
'God saved my life through sports' - Catholics prepare for Ironman race
Aug 24, 2018 / 11:00 amCompetitors in an Ironman race swim 2.4 miles and bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon to complete more than 10 hours of racing that tests athletes’ highest levels of endurance. For some Catholics, preparing for an Ironman contest includes spiritual, as well as physical conditioning.
Catholics minister to mothers and children in Texas detention centers
Aug 23, 2018 / 13:13 pmBefore being allowed to celebrate Mass for families housed at a migrant detention center in south Texas, a local priest was made to sign a confidentiality agreement promising that he would not divulge any information regarding the conditions inside.
Congressman: Security, solidarity, and subsidiarity needed to rebuild Iraqi villages
Aug 22, 2018 / 02:00 amChristian and Yazidi communities in northern Iraq need security as they rebuild, said Congressman Jeff Fortenberry after a trip to the region to assess economic aid delivery.