EDITORIAL

Faithful, well-catechized families are critical to the mission of the Church. Within the family, the Gospel is lived out and passed on in word and in deed. Vocations are introduced. Virtue is nurtured. This most basic cell of society is where the faith can flourish, if it is properly tended to.

The release of the McCarrick report is a significant undertaking and milestone for the church. We fervently pray that its release will begin the healing so desperately needed by the universal and American church and that it will help restore faith in members of the hierarchy and the greater institutional church.

At its best, media informs, inspires and engages. It creates unity and a common thread throughout a community, allowing people to share in the daily joys, sorrows and challenges of their neighbors. Media must provide for “an authentic culture of encounter” and serve to give voice to those on the margins of society.

Experts predict that Arizona’s economy will grow at a steady, moderate pace throughout 2014 as it continues to grind its way through the lingering effects of the Great Recession. It is imperative we not leave anyone, particularly the working poor, behind.

Efforts by government agencies to quash freedoms and liberties enjoyed by Americans appear to be in overdrive these days. At least that’s the perception. One must only look at recent revelations concerning the National Security Agency.

While many turn to mainstream media for information that affects their lives, finding reputable information about the Catholic faith in secular media can be frustrating.

An hour after the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the world learned the name of the man who was elected to be the 265th successor to St. Peter: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Jesuit cardinal of Buenos Aires. He chose the name Francis.

Known for his surprises, nobody saw Pope Benedict's resignation coming.

Fifty years ago, Pope John XXIII famously opened the windows of the Church. With Twitter, Pope Benedict XVI is doing the same for a new, more plugged-in generation of Catholics.

We at The Catholic Sun receive a great deal of feedback from you, our faithful readers. During election seasons, the comments tend to split between two different camps: Some think that we are too conservative, while others are convinced that we are too liberal. So perhaps we are right where we are supposed to be.