Facebook's new prayer tool arrives to mixed reception
Users who are members of faith-based Facebook groups will find an option allowing them to request prayers and other group members will be able to respond via the “I prayed” icon.
Former DC archbishop Theodore McCarrick charged with abusing minor: report
The Associated Press reports that defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C. from 2001 to 2006, is facing charges in the 1970s sexual assault of teen.
Catholic school lawsuit claims mask mandate shields ‘God’s image and likeness’
“Unfortunately, a mask shields our humanity,” the Resurrection School in Lansing, Michigan said in a lawsuit that is now in the appeals process.
Pope Francis appears for first time since intestinal surgery
Pope Francis has made his first public appearance since surgery a week earlier.
Pope Francis eats breakfast, takes walk 2 days after intestinal surgery
Pope Francis ate breakfast Tuesday and took a walk as he continues to recover from a scheduled intestinal surgery, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis alert and well after intestinal surgery, Vatican says
Pope Francis is “in good condition, alert and breathing on his own,” a day after he underwent planned intestinal surgery, the Vatican said.
60 House Democrats sign letter asking Catholic leaders to reconsider Biden rebuke over abortion
U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.
Rick Warren, Saddleback megachurch pastor, to retire
Saddleback Church's pastor and "The Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren announced he will step down.
Vatican law criminalizes sexual abuse of adults by priests, laity
After 14 years of study, Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly criminalize the sexual abuse of adults by priests who abuse their authority and to say that laypeople who hold church office can be sanctioned too.
Catholic bishops debate if Biden should receive communion given abortion stance
There’s a deep gulf between Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego in the high-stakes debate over whether politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion
Virgin of Guadalupe mural defaced at Van Nuys church, suspect sought
The Los Angeles Police Department sought the public's help to identify the man who used a sledgehammer to deface a hand-painted mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe at a Van Nuys church.
California lifts COVID-19 limits on indoor worship services
California lifted its limits on indoor worship services in the face of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that struck down the coronavirus public health mandates.
Christians celebrate second Easter marred by COVID-19 pandemic
Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with faithful sitting far apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday.
US church membership falls below 50% for 1st time in nearly a century
For the first time since the late 1930s, less than half of Americans say they belong to a church, synagogue or mosque, according to a new Gallup poll.
Vatican says Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions as God ‘can’t bless sin’
The Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response Monday to a question about whether Catholic clergy can bless gay unions.
Pope Francis holds historic, symbolic meeting with top Iraq Shiite cleric
Pope Francis and Iraq’s top Shiite cleric have delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence, urging Muslims to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered Christian minority during a historic meeting.
Ash Wednesday, COVID-style, as Christians mark the beginning of Lent during the pandemic
The yearly tradition of placing ashes of believer’s foreheads for Ash Wednesday took different turns, depending on what church you attended during these COVID times.
Ashes to be sprinkled over parishioners' heads during pandemic Ash Wednesday
The coronavirus pandemic will change the way ashes are distributed to Christians worldwide on Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season.
Supreme Court rules California can't ban indoor worship due to COVID-19 concerns
The Supreme Court is telling California it can’t enforce a ban on indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic.
2020 Vatican nativity display draws comparisons to ‘Star Wars’ scene
The Vatican’s 2020 nativity scene, which is different every year, has drawn criticism from some for its futuristic style.