JOHANNESBURG -; The small plane carrying only its American pilot disappeared 10 days ago just miles from a refueling stop at a West African island in the middle of a tropical storm of thunder and ...

Diocese of Christchurch has voted to take the next step towards a dramatic redrawing of its map. The diocese met in a special synod on April 13-14, ...

[Anglican Taonga] The Diocese of Christchurch, meeting in a special synod April 12-13, has given overwhelming endorsement to the most modern of the three concepts for a new Cathedral in the Square. The synod heard a presentation from the Cathedral Project Group and Warren& Mahoney about the three cathedral options - restored, traditional or contemporary. Bishop Victoria Matthews asked some ...

How is this different than Kermit Gosnell's"House of Horrors"?Followers of Christ must be more consistent in our ethics of war as understood in the context of God's kingdom. The Boston bombings were a tragedy. Whether first responders were targeted remains unproven, but what if they were? Is it intrinsically evil to target American first responders as opposed to the Pakistani ...

Continuing his catechesis on the Creed, Pope Francis focused on the significance of Christ's Ascension into heaven during his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square. An estimated 50,000 faithful were present at the audience according the Holy See Press ...

Where does human respect live?';), Thomas Clark proves my point. Unable to refute what I actually said -- that there is a correlation between human rights and the secularity of society -- he goes off somewhere else and rebuts a letter I never wrote. Nowhere did I say that human rights were';invented in Stockholm yesterday.'; Clark mentions Mother Teresa. It’s true that ...

VATICAN CITY, April 12 (CNA/EWTN News) .- The last month of papal transition meant that the employees of the Vatican's Secretariat of State worked long hours, so Pope Francis decided that he would offer his heartfelt thanks by making a personal visit."Why am I here today? To thank you, because I know that these days - tomorrow marks one month - you have worked a lot more, many hours ...

YACUBIA, Syria -- As explosions rang out in the distance, some 50 believers in a small church in this rural western village bowed their heads in prayer. The ancient church has remained almost entirely intact despite months of heavy fighting between government forces and the Free Syrian Army. The only scar is the absence of a large cross that once adorned the steeple. It lies in the roof's ...

VATICAN CITY, April 12, 2013 (Zenit.org) - Here is the text of Pope Francis' address yesterday to the members of the Papal Foundation on their annual pilgrimage to Rome.* * *Dear Friends,I am pleased to meet the members of The Papal Foundation during your pilgrimage to Rome, and I thank Cardinal Wuerl for his kind words. I very much appreciate your prayers as I begin my ministry as the ...

In First Chrism Mass Homily, Pontiff Reflects on Priestly MinistryBy Junno Arocho EstevesVATICAN CITY, March 28, 2013 (Zenit.org) - In his homily for the first Chrism Mass of his pontificate, Pope Francis reflected on the image of anointing and the priesthood. The Holy Father began his homily by greeting the priests who were present at the Mass, which he said,"recalls the day of your ...

The Pope told priests that if they"anoint" others by bringing the grace of God to their everyday realities, they will be strengthened in their priesthood."A good priest can be recognized by the way his people are anointed," said Pope Francis during the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass at which oils that will be used in the sacraments are blessed."When our people are anointed ...

American Jewish Committee Director Speaks on Pontiff's Role in Interfaith DialogueBy Anita BourdinROME, March 21, 2013 (Zenit.org) - As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, was well known in his efforts in fostering dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Jewish Community of Argentina.After ...

Perhaps the Same Priorities, But a Different StyleBy Edward PentinROME, March 21, 2013 (Zenit.org) - When it comes to international relations, Pope Francis' priorities are unlikely to greatly differ from those of Pope Benedict XVI. But his difference in style could potentially harvest abundant fruit in terms of bringing others to Christ and strengthening ties with the Holy See.Like his ...

Surprise Gathering of Religious and Lay People Share Spirit of Warm FriendshipVATICAN CITY, March 21, 2013 (Zenit.org) - Pope Francis on Wednesaday met with about 50 people from Argentina, in a spur-of-the-moment gathering at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.Among those present was Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, president of the Argentine bishops' conference, Fr. Pablo ...

VATICAN CITY, March 22, 2013 (Zenit.org) - Hello ZENIT Readers,Thousands in St. Peter's had the opportunity to greet His Holiness Pope Francis, and wish him the best. Now it's your turn. Send us a short (20-second) YouTube video with your greeting for the new Supreme Pontiff. We will choose the top videos and post them on our official YouTube page for the world to see.Send the link of ...