Ruth Harrison of Churchville has visited famous churches throughout Europe and found her January tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be among the best – made especially unique by the historical knowledge imparted by volunteer docent Frank Twardzik. The retired radiologist from Howard County,...Read More

WASHINGTON – As Democratic and Republican senators pressed their divergent views on the New START agreement with Russia outlining the next phase of nuclear disarmament during final debate in December, a wide array of Catholics played a major role in getting the pact ratified.Read More

Rep. Nancy Pelosi hardly deserves mention as being an asset in advancing church agenda (CR, Jan 11). I find nothing commendable in her being helpful on “certain” issues. Her stand on abortion represents a scandal of monumental proportions considering the number of lives lost in our nation’s abortion clinics. That some bishops remain mute on...Read More

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – In front of a national cathedral that lay in rubble, Catholic leaders marked the anniversary of Haiti’s deadly earthquake by praying for its victims and calling for reconstruction of this tattered Caribbean country.Read More

Standing next to toppled plastic figures of St. Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary and assorted sheep, Loretta Hoffman shook her head sadly and pointed to an empty manger flipped on its side by vandals. “That’s where the baby Jesus was,” she said, noting that her husband, Gil, had secured the figure with wires to prevent...Read More

TUCSON, Ariz. – With flags nationwide flying at half-staff and people pausing for a moment of silence Jan. 10, the victims of the Jan. 8 mass shooting in Tucson were being remembered for their warmth and goodness, some for their sense of public service, and several for their involvement in their churches.Read More

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At first glance, the ambassadors accredited to the Vatican seem to be a group of elegant, older men gracefully ending their diplomatic careers in a posting filled with pomp and circumstance. The suits with tails, the swords, the plumed hats, sashes and medals highlight the formality of public occasions and the...Read More

EMMITSBURG – At a time when some seminaries are struggling, Mount St. Mary’s University Seminary in Emmitsburg is booming.Read More