By Bronwen Dachs Catholic News Service CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) — Ethiopia’s cardinal-designate hopes his story of serving the people in one of Africa’s poorest countries will inspire young people to do the same. While Ethiopians are “easily tempted to leave” to live and work in developed countries, “the need for educated people here ...read more

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Dominique Mamberti, the only official of the Roman Curia among the 20 new cardinals named by Pope Francis, said the honor binds him even more closely to the pope and the church of Rome. Pope Francis’ announcement came just days before the cardinal-designate, the ...read more

During his Angelus Address on Sunday, Pope Francis announced that he would be making a one day trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina this coming June. It appears the Holy Father has an appetite for difficult cases, as the former Yugoslav republic is no walk in the park. Most will recall the Bosnian War that broke out following ...read more

By David Agren Catholic News Service MORELIA, Mexico (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia planned to retire as leader of an archdiocese hit hard by organized crime violence. Pope Francis had other ideas. “When we were in Rome in May, we greeted the pope and he told me: ‘I know that you want ...read more

What’s been making headlines across Canada this week? Here is a look from coast to coast: In Regina, Dr. Cindy Blackstock is fighting to guarantee that aboriginal children have the same human rights as non-aboriginal children. She outlines the many ways aboriginal children are denied access to basic services that non-aboriginal children enjoy. Toronto’s Covenant ...read more

The whole week between the Feast of the Epiphany and the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord we heard readings from the First Letter of St. John and on the Saturday I heard something that I had never heard before: “If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For February 2015, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Prisoners. That prisoners, especially the young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity. Marriages. That married people who are separated may find welcome and support in the Christian community. Daily ...read more

The Franciscan revolution continues, piece by piece. This week, it was revealed that Pope Francis is changing the process by which metropolitan archbishops are invested with their pallium. The new process highlights the importance of the local church and its connection to the wider church. In a letter to papal nuncios around the world, the ...read more

When in October 2013 the Vatican announced the first ever two-stage Synod of Bishops, many in the Catholic Church were hopeful about the possibilities of an in-depth discussion and consultation. After all, a year in between the two Synods is a lot of time, right? Not necessarily. The Vatican didn’t publish the Lineamenta—a discussion guideline ...read more

By Most Reverend John Corriveau, OFM Cap. Bishop of Nelson, British Columbia Between 1994 and 2012, I was privileged to participate in five Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops. These five Synods touched a variety of challenges in the Church: Consecrated Life and its Role in the Church and the World (1994), Special Assembly for ...read more