At a press conference in Rome this morning, Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri formally presented the preparatory document for the upcoming Extraordinary Synod on Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization. Archbishop Baldisseri, the head of the Synod of Bishops, said the family is an area that the church will work on for the ...read more

This week’ Vatican Connections looks at the innovations of Pope Francis: using the Vatican’s media spokesperson to confirm the date of a consistory for new Cardinals, and celebrating All Saints day Mass at the Verano Cemetary for the first time in 20 years. Plus we bring you a look at the Vatican’s involvement in the ...read more

An Austrian farmer and father of four, Franz Jäggerstätter was faced with the choice to serve in Hitler’s army or to face execution. A devout Catholic and loving husband and father, Franz struggled with his responsibilities to his family and to state authority, but in the end felt he could not betray God and his ...read more

By Mary Rose Bacani Valenti We were riding on the subway with a friend of ours a few years ago.  He started to tell the story of Chiara Luce, an Italian teenager who was then recently beatified.  When he mentioned her name, Richard and I immediately looked at each other.  I knew we were both ...read more

This post comes to us from Leanna Cappiello, a former Salt + Light intern, turned blogger and storyteller. This post was first published online by The Catholic Register. You can read Leanna’s blog Curious Catholic, on The Catholic Register’s website. Before Vatican II, the laity served a passive role in the Church behind ordained religious ...read more

Tonight on  Perspectives the Catholic Organization for Life and Family releases a statement on euthanasiaAnd we take a look at today’s general audience ...read more

Two weeks ago there was a huge victory for opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada in a case that determined that doctors must obtain consent before removing life-support from a patient. The case was that of Hassan Rasouli who apparently was misdiagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state since October 2010. According ...read more

Here is the translation of Pope Francis’ address during an audience with the directors, employees and collaborators of the Vatican Television Center (CTV) on the occasion of their 30th anniversary. Dear friends, The Vatican Television Center, commissioned by Blessed John Paul II, was born on October 22nd, 1983. On this path there has been much ...read more

Salt and Light’s new series The Church Alive is now in its fifth week and there is still much more to come.  This past Sunday, October 27th, the always important but often misunderstood topic of Social Justice was discussed.  From the time of the Second Vatican Council especially, and under the guidance of subsequent popes, ...read more

(CCCB – Ottawa)  His Holiness Pope Francis today accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend V. James Weisgerber as Archbishop of Winnipeg, and named as his successor the Most Reverend Richard Gagnon. At the time of his appointment, the Archbishop-elect was Bishop of Victoria. Archbishop Weisgerber has been responsible for the Archdiocese for the past 13 years. He had ...read more