Mass to pray for persecuted Church in Middle East

Bishop Nevares will celebrate a Mass Feb. 16 at St. Anne Church in Gilbert to pray for the persecuted Christians of the Middle East.

Pro-life advocates laud drop in abortion rate

Almost two weeks after the national March for Life rally in Washington, the Guttmacher Institute reported a 13 percent drop in national abortion rates from 2008 to 2011 -- making for the lowest rate since 1973 when abortion on demand was legalized in the U.S.

U.N. committee presses Vatican on child abuse, some Church teaching

The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child continued to insist that the Vatican compile and publish detailed statistics on clerical sexual abuse of minors and that the pope, as head of the church, can and should order Catholic dioceses and religious orders around the world to implement all the policies of the U.N. Convention of the Rights of the Child.

‘Troublemaker’ pope reshaping church, but drawing some skepticism

As early on as it is for the pontificate of Pope Francis, his statements and actions already have given guidance for how simple changes can improve the world, said panelists at Georgetown University.

New complications in executions bring new death penalty discussions

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- International law, the risk of using inhumane methods of execution and opposition to capital punishment by the survivors of murder victims...

Annual day of prayer celebrates African-American, African families

The 25th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer for the African-American and African Family will be celebrated Feb. 2, the first Sunday of Black History Month. This year's theme is a quote from St. Augustine of Hippo, once of the Catholic Church's black saints: "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."

Pope at audience: Make sure your children are confirmed

Many Catholic parents go to great lengths to ensure their children are baptized, and they must make similar efforts to see that their children are confirmed, Pope Francis said.

‘Positive feedback’ reported in bid to curb Super Bowl sex trafficking

A lot of "positive feedback" has been reported from hotels expecting an influx of visitors for the Feb. 2 Super Bowl with regard to efforts to curb human trafficking -- primarily sex trafficking -- surrounding the event.

Pope Francis makes cover of ‘Rolling Stone’

Rolling Stone features the Holy Father in new cover story: "Pope Francis: The Times They Are A-Changin'"

Pope says Internet a ‘gift from God,’ should be used for solidarity

Like the good Samaritan, who stopped on the road to help a person in need, travelers along today's communication highways should offer support to those they encounter there, Pope Francis said.