From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources

Voices

Signs Of the Times

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesDecember 10, 2012

Around 62 percent of adult U.S. Catholics have a profile on Facebook; 58 percent of Catholics 30 and under share pictures, articles and comments at least once a week; and nearly a third say they would like their pastors and bishops to use blogs. Those are some results of a study released by the Cent

Signs Of the Times

New Plan to Reverse Decline?

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesDecember 10, 2012

A pastoral plan approved by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston calls for the archdiocese to organize its 288 parishes into approximately 135 groups, to be called parish collaboratives. Led by one pastor, a pastoral team of priests, deacons and lay ecclesial ministers will provide pastoral ser

Signs Of the Times

Congo Escalation

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesDecember 10, 2012

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels took control on Nov. 20 of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Amnesty International called on all sides of the escalating conflict to take steps to safeguard civilians. Thousands fled the besieged city and rap

Signs Of the Times

Do No Harm

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesDecember 10, 2012

Congress should avoid measures that harm at-risk students, low-income families and the global poor who benefit from international assistance, said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, in a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives and the S

Signs Of the Times

U.S. Bishops’ Meeting Highlights

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesDecember 10, 2012

During the public sessions, on Nov. 12–13, of the annual Fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, among other actions, the bishops: • Approved their first document on preaching in 30 years, “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily,&rdq

Signs Of the Times

The Church and Climate Change

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesNovember 26, 2012

The link between respecting the environment and the sacramental life of the church is inseparable for one bishop in the South Pacific.

Signs Of the Times

Presidential Prayers

From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sourcesNovember 26, 2012

In a message of congratulations to President Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI assured him of his prayers “that God might assist him in his very great responsibility.”