Pope John Paul Ii

Vatican Decree Calls Attention To The Place Of Women Religious

Olga Bonfiglio | Posted 05.18.2012

Olga Bonfiglio

While Pope John Paul II's relationship with American nuns appeared to rein in the more exuberant experiments and freedoms they embraced after Vatican II, Pope Benedict XVI's recent decree is drop-dead shocking.

Pope Benedict Praises Predecessor As Model For Polish People

AP | Posted 05.02.2012

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI has praised his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, as a model for the Polish people on the first anniversary of his bea...

The Subversion Of Vatican II

Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC | Posted 04.25.2012

Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC

Mean-spiritedness, hostility and acrimony flourish in a church that should be all about the peace and love that Jesus brought to our world. Certainly, all sides are to blame as we permit these differences to obfuscate the "Good News" of the faith.

Bishop: Total Re-examination Of Catholic Faith, Culture Needed

Posted 04.01.2012

By Joshua J. McElwee National Catholic Reporter In light of abuse crisis, Australian prelate calls for complete rethinking CHICAGO -- The roots...

Judging Cuba's Cardinal Ortega and Pope Benedict's Trip to the Island

Anya Landau French | Posted 05.29.2012

Anya Landau French

When it comes to drawing the Church into politics, just how mighty is its influence with Cuba's leaders? And where is the line between seeking refuge in a church and seeking political leverage at the expense of one?

Cuba Today: Can the Pope Turn Two Wrongs Into a Right?

Blake Fleetwood | Posted 05.26.2012

Blake Fleetwood

Benedict is not the champion of social justice that Pope John was. But now Benedict has the opportunity to show his compassion. After calling for the release of Alan Gross, he should likewise call on Obama to release the rest of the Cuban Five.

Newsflash: Santorum Out of Touch With Catholic Theology

Roger S. Gottlieb | Posted 04.23.2012

Roger S. Gottlieb

Santorum's virtual ignoring of environmental issues may be correct or incorrect, depending on your point of view. But it is not orthodox Catholicism -- at least not the morally, politically and spiritually serious Catholicism of 2012.

Would Pope Benedict XVI Ever Quit?

Jon M. Sweeney | Posted 04.16.2012

Jon M. Sweeney

It has become clear that Pope Benedict is willing to engage with the problems the Church faces. Yet, I wonder if he still considers walking away.

Benedict XVI, A Different Pope, Will Come to a Different Cuba

Yoani Sanchez | Posted 04.13.2012

Yoani Sanchez

The Catholics are preparing their liturgies and their pomp to receive Benedict XVI, while others wonder if his arrival will bring some significant transformation in the political or social situation of the nation.

Retired Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua Dies At 88

AP | MARYCLAIRE DALE | Posted 04.02.2012

PHILADELPHIA — Church leaders called on parishioners Wednesday to pray for the soul of retired Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, who led them for mor...

Santorum and Evolution

Andrew Pavelyev | Posted 03.17.2012

Andrew Pavelyev

Rick Santorum has always seemed to have a problem with the theory of evolution. In 2001 he tried to promote the teaching of intelligent design in his ...

Controversial Statue Of John Paul II Gets A Makeover

Posted 01.14.2012

By Alessandro Speciale Religion News Service VATICAN CITY (RNS) Just eight months after being unveiled, a controversial statue of Pope John Paul I...

Paul's Power Play in Iowa -- But What's Next?

Bill Schneider | Posted 02.26.2012

Bill Schneider

Ron Paul is likely to win the Iowa Republican caucuses next week. What can that possibly mean?

Vatican Vandalism: The New English Translation of the Catholic Mass

John Pinette | Posted 01.23.2012

John Pinette

The untimely new translation of the Mass is so impenetrable that one publisher just released a companion volume for priests with suggestions on where to pause and what words to emphasize, so that they prayers may be understood. Not the greatest endorsement of perceptive translation.

Saint Used Acid to Inflict 'Stigmata,' New Book Claims

Posted 11.22.2011

Italian saint Padre Pio reportedly used carbolic acid on his hands, feet and sides to "self-inflict" the wounds Christ endured during the crucifixion,...

Sacrilege: Wall Street Worship

Leo W. Gerard | Posted 12.31.2011

Leo W. Gerard

Americans have been worshiping a bull. Too many citizens, and particularly politicians, prostrate themselves to Wall Street's bronze idol.

Shamed Pope Sculptor Will Get Second Chance To Redeem Himself

Posted 11.28.2011

By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press ROME — He was pilloried by the Vatican for creating a sculpture of Pope John Paul II that some mockingly sa...

From Munich To Sarajevo: A Pilgrimage For Peace

Katherine Marshall | Posted 11.17.2011

Katherine Marshall

The meeting was a message of hope: Despite the realities of violence and economic crisis, peace, prosperity, and a rich and meaningful culture are within our grasp.

Jaweed Kaleem

Most Catholics Don't Know About Changes To Mass, Survey Says

HuffingtonPost.com | Jaweed Kaleem | Posted 10.19.2011

In many ways, Nicky Gautier is a model Roman Catholic. The Charlottesville, Va., resident attends Mass every Sunday, has enrolled her daughter in Cath...

Cuban Archbishop Meurice Stood Up to Power

Yoani Sanchez | Posted 09.21.2011

Yoani Sanchez

In memoriam for Pedro Meurice Estiú, Archbishop Emeritus of Santiago de Cuba They called Archbishop Pedro Meurice Estiu "the lion of the East" for h...

Acting School Aims To Make Hollywood More Like Holywood

Cathleen Falsani | Posted 09.12.2011

Cathleen Falsani

"Artistic talent is a gift from God," John Paul once said. "And whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste his talent, but must develop it."

An 'Ugly' Pope Sculpture?

AP | FRANCES D'EMILIO and ALBA TOBELLA | Posted 07.20.2011

ROME — A new, modernist sculpture of Pope John Paul II is turning into a monumental bust. The Vatican on Friday slammed the giant artwork outsid...

Big Media Events And The Churches That Put Them On

Bishop Pierre Whalon | Posted 07.11.2011

Bishop Pierre Whalon

Two major media events splashed across the screens of the world -- the royal wedding and John Paul II's beatification -- that showed vividly the similarities and differences between the churches.

The Beatification Of John Paul II And The Express Canonization Protection Program

Michele Somerville | Posted 07.10.2011

Michele Somerville

The current pope has much to gain by expediting the canonization of his predecessor. The fanfare that accompanies canonization promises to create a useful diversion for Ratzinger.

Royal Weddings and Human Idols

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach | Posted 07.01.2011

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Institutions that make humans into objects of veneration end up consuming the poor souls who have to live up to these impossibly lofty standards.