WASHINGTON – From the earliest days of the nation, U.S. and Vatican leaders have considered it worthwhile to keep diplomatic channels open, despite the sometimes rocky political paths involved.Read More

St. Agatha lived in Sicily around the year 250. She was a devout young Christian who consecrated her life to God. A magistrate tried to start a relationship with St. Agatha, but she refused. The man threw St. Agatha in prison and tortured her, but she never yielded because of her deep faith. St. Agatha,...Read More

VATICAN CITY – The 2009-10 Year for Priests will demonstrate that the Catholic Church “is proud of her priests, loves them, honors them (and) admires them,” said Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.Read More

St. Casimir was a Polish prince born in October 1458. He became the grand duke of Lithuania in 1471. He dedicated his life to celibacy, despite pressure to marry the emperor’s daughter. St. Casimir spent much of his time in prayer and supported the poor. He also had a devotion to Mary. During his father’s...Read More

WASHINGTON – Public television stations may be confronted by a hard choice later this year: drop their religious programming or risk losing their affiliation with the Public Broadcasting Service.Read More

St. Armogastes lived in the early 400s. He was the servant of the son of King Genseric. When Genseric renounced Christianity and became a pagan once again, he demanded that St. Armogastes also renounce Christianity. St. Armogastes refused to give up his faith, so Genseric tortured him and sent him to work in mines. St....Read More

DUBLIN, Ireland – Physical and sexual abuse was endemic in Irish institutions for boys run by religious between 1940 and the late 1970s, said an independent commission report.Read More

St. Domitian of Huy, born in the sixth century, was a priest and bishop of Tongres. A steadfast opponent of heretics, he spoke out against them at the Synod of Orleans in 549 and encouraged sermons against heresy. In addition to working to convert those who did not believe, he built churches and hospices. His...Read More