Catholic Church

The Latest

Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.

Catholic bishop laments appeal court ruling on removing life-support from 5-year-old against mother’s wishes

Mar 23, 2021

A Catholic bishop has lamented an English appeal court ruling that life-sustaining treatment can be withdrawn from a five-year-old girl... Read more

German Catholic leader criticizes request to halt public worship in Holy Week

Mar 23, 2021

Germany’s leading Catholic bishop has criticized a request to halt public worship during a “hard lockdown” from Holy Thursday to... Read more

Pope Francis addresses members of Rome's Pontifical Filipino College March 22, 2021.

Pope Francis to Pontifical Filipino College students: welcome God’s opportunities

Mar 22, 2021

Pope Francis has encouraged students at Rome’s Pontifical Filipino College to welcome “the opportunities that the Lord gives you to... Read more

Baby Feet. Credit: Morgan via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

Catholic bishops condemn plan to impose ‘extreme’ abortion services on N Ireland

Mar 22, 2021

Catholic bishops have strongly criticized plans to impose “extreme and discriminatory” abortion services on Northern Ireland. Read more

Then-Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, now prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaks at the Holy See press office, Sept. 8, 2015.

More than 200 German-speaking theology professors criticize Vatican ‘no’ to same-sex blessings

Mar 22, 2021

More than 200 theology professors in the German-speaking world have signed a statement criticizing the Vatican’s rejection of blessings for... Read more

Irish flag.

Police in Ireland fine Catholic priest for offering public Masses

Mar 22, 2021

Police in Ireland have fined a Catholic priest for celebrating public Masses amid a nationwide lockdown. Read more

Irish flag.

Police in Ireland fine Catholic priest for offering public Masses

Mar 22, 2021

Police in Ireland have fined a Catholic priest for celebrating public Masses amid a nationwide lockdown. Read more

An empty St. Peter's Basilica

Private Mass restrictions come into force at St. Peter’s Basilica

Mar 22, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The restriction of private Masses in the upper side chapels of St. Peter’s Basilica has come into force Read more

The Knock Shrine. Public domain.

Pope Francis: Our Lady of Knock brings a message of hope

Mar 19, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis said that Our Lady of Knock exemplifies the importance of prayer and hope as he officially designated Knock... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 22, 2016. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Amoris laetitia year: Pope Francis says Church must defend the family

Mar 19, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to support and defend families by making an effort to be close to them in... Read more

A pro-life poster campaign in Poland organized by the Our Children Foundation

Catholics in Poland launch week of prayer for protection of life on St. Joseph’s feast day

Mar 19, 2021

By CNA Staff

Catholics in Poland have launched a week of prayer for the protection of life on the feast of St. Joseph. Read more

The official logo of the Year “Amoris Laetitia Family”

Amoris Laetitia Family Year: A CNA Explainer

Mar 19, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Amoris Laetitia Family Year begins today. But what exactly is it? Here’s what you need to know. Read more

The National Shrine of St. Joseph in Kalisz, central Poland

Poland to be entrusted to St. Joseph in October

Mar 19, 2021

By CNA Staff

Poland’s Catholic bishops will entrust the country to St. Joseph on Oct. 7. Read more

Fr. Harrison Egwuenu, who was kidnapped Monday, March 15, 2021, in Nigeria’s Warri diocese.

Catholic diocese in Nigeria urges prayers for ‘speedy release’ of kidnapped priest

Mar 19, 2021

A Catholic diocese in Nigeria has appealed for prayers for the “speedy release” of a priest abducted on Monday. Read more

Archbishop Stefan Heße of Hamburg, Germany, makes his announcement on March 18, 2021

German Catholic archbishop offers to resign from office after abuse report findings

Mar 18, 2021

A German archbishop has announced that he is offering his resignation to Pope Francis and requesting “immediate release” from all... Read more

Pope Francis meets members of the Belgian Pontifical College in Rome March 18, 2021

Pope Francis invites priests to learn from St. Joseph’s fatherhood

Mar 18, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has invited Catholic priests to rediscover St. Joseph and learn from his fatherhood during the year dedicated to... Read more

The first hearing of an abuse trial takes place at the Vatican court Oct. 14, 2020.

Vatican abuse trial: Victim alleges 6 years of abuse by older student

Mar 18, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The alleged victim in a trial concerning a Vatican youth seminary has testified that he was sexually assaulted over a... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. Credit: Jochen Rolfes/Archdiocese of Cologne.

German cardinal facing calls to resign welcomes release of independent abuse report

Mar 18, 2021

A German cardinal facing calls to resign has welcomed the release of a long-awaited report on the handling of abuse... Read more

The reliquary of Carlo Acutis in Ełk, Poland

Relics of Carlo Acutis brought to Poland in hope of inspiring young Catholics

Mar 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Relics of Carlo Acutis can now be found in a cathedral in Poland thanks to the initiative of a youth... Read more

All-Ireland Primate: Pandemic a chance to ‘rescue’ real St. Patrick from shamrocks and green beer

Mar 17, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pandemic is a chance to rescue the real St. Patrick from things like green beer and shamrocks, Archbishop Eamon... Read more