VATICAN CITY – Iraqi Catholic bishops called on Pope Benedict XVI to convene a synod to address the mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East and the lack of full religious freedom there.Read More

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy – Pope Benedict XVI urged bishops in Benin to strengthen the sense of Christian marriage among Catholics.Read More

ATLANTA – As the second anniversary of the largest mass killing on a U.S. campus approaches, the Catholic priest serving at Virginia Tech University said the church can help fearful and confused students through its mindfulness of community rituals.Read More

VILLA MARIA, Pa. – Serving a prison sentence in a federal penitentiary is something that Sister Sheila Salmon will never forget. But she learned some life lessons there that she will carry with her wherever she goes. Among them: that federal prisoners are treated as things, not as people; that many people in prisons should...Read More

A Vatican apostolic visitation team has concluded that U.S. seminaries are experiencing a greater sense of stability since the 1990s, but recommended increased attention to the formation of priests and greater involvement of diocesan bishops.Read More

Earlier this summer, Keith “Watty” Watson, head wrestling coach for The John Carroll School, Bel Air, was named “Coach of the Year” by the Maryland State Wrestling Association. “In all of my years in sports and as an alumnus of John Carroll,” said John Von Paris, “I have never seen any coach with more dedication...Read More

WASHINGTON – As the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program zooms through Congress at nearly unprecedented speed, health reform advocates aren’t taking the time to pat themselves on the back.Read More

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Zimbabwean Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo, the most outspoken critic of the country’s leadership who is also facing allegations of adultery. In an undated letter written by the archbishop and released by the Vatican press office Sept. 11, the archbishop wrote that he offered his...Read More