Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of the Rev. Stanley Rother of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, making him the first martyr born in the United States and clearing the way for his beatification. The Vatican made the announcement on Dec. 2. Father Rother, born March 27, 1935, on his family&r

"God asked the church especially to be a sign of his love by continuing to open up a space where our service to one another can be manifested," Bishop Daniel E. Flores said.

If we think the Benedict Option is going to be easier than the messy reality of modern parish life, we have not yet seen it clearly.

The New York archdiocese's program lets people take claims to a noted outside mediator while keeping painful details private.

After one of my own teenage students was murdered, Emmett Till's grave became a place of occasional pilgrimage for me.

"So many families are wondering how changes to immigration policy might impact them," said Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles.