Official says Catholic cemeteries have ‘huge opportunity to evangelize’
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) — Beyond their traditional roles as predictably quiet and often-beautiful places, "cemeteries have a huge opportunity to evangelize and a responsibility to stand for what the church represents," said Andrew Schafer, executive director for Archdiocese of Newark Catholic Cemeteries in New Jersey.
People who come to a committal service in a cemetery may be encountering Catholic funeral tradition for the first time, or for the first time in many years.
Muslim-Catholic dialogue on Iranian weapons focuses on arms policies
Seven months after a delegation of U.S. bishops quietly met with Iranian religious leaders, their efforts appear to be on track to continue a dialogue on nuclear weapons and the role faith leaders may have in influencing arms policies.
Bright lights, cool air protect Sistine Chapel from visiting hordes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican is not promising visitors to the Sistine Chapel more elbow room, but it is guaranteeing a cooler experience.
Couple to Couple League turns to crowd funding to publish book on marriage
The Couple to Couple League, a Catholic organization that trains couples in Natural Family Planning, is turning to crowd funding in order to publish a book about marriage.
Don’t be bad Christians, people may think atheism is better, pope says
The way Christians behave can either help and inspire others, or turn them away from ever following Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Precious Blood sister with strong ties to St. Mary’s Basilica dies
Sr. Virginia Hebbeler, CPPS, who ministered at St. Mary’s Basilica for 22 years, died Oct. 28. She was 93.
Holocaust survivor to lecture on St. John Paul II
A scholarly lecture on a Catholic campus will provide an interfaith perspective of St. John Paul II, whose first official feast day the Catholic world observed a week ago.
CRS manages ‘safe and dignified’ burials of Sierra Leone Ebola victims
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) — The agency will ensure that graves are marked so that families know where their loved ones are buried and that there is "one body in one grave," a church official said, noting that in the current crisis "this is not always the case."
"We need to create ways for people to visit the graves of their loved ones and still be safe," CRS' Michael Stulman explained, noting that currently no funeral services are held in Sierra Leone and visits to cemeteries are not allowed.
Pope: Evolution, Big Bang do not push aside God, who set it in motion
The Big Bang theory and evolution do not eliminate the existence of God, who remains the one who set all of creation into motion, Pope Francis told his own science academy.
Pope says official exorcists show Church’s love for the suffering
Exorcists, assigned to that ministry by their bishops, demonstrate the love and care of the church for "those who suffer because of the work of the devil," Pope Francis said in a message to the International Association of Exorcists.