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This secular Franciscan lived among lepers. Could he become Zimbabwe’s first saint?
British-born John Bradburne, who died in Zimbabwe 40 years ago, could be on his way to becoming the country’s first canonized saint. Bradburne is a revered figure among the Catholic community in the landlocked southern African country of Zimbabwe. According to reports, Bradburne was shot... Read more -
Iraqi Catholic Official Who Survived 5 Assassination Attempts: ‘Jesus Told Me Not to Fear’
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Assyrian Iraqi Christian Pascale Warda was not deterred when would-be assailants tried to kill her five times, vowing instead to bring the light of good governance to her nation stricken by the aftermath of war. As minister for immigration and refugees in the Iraqi... Read more -
379,418 Signatures Submitted to End Dismemberment Abortions
The Michigan Values Life coalition submitted 379,418 signatures believed to be valid to the Michigan Bureau of Elections today to initiate legislation to ban dismemberment abortions in Michigan. Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “This is a wonderful Christmas present to... Read more -
Christians Prepare for Another Not So Merry Christmas in India
As many of the world’s Christians prepare to celebrate the Christmas holiday, Christians in India are struggling with a growing sense of fear. In just a single week in December, International Christian Concern (ICC) documented over half a dozen instances of religious persecution against Indian... Read more -
Pope Francis accepts resignation of dean of cardinals, sets 5-year term limit
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals and declared that the position will now have a five-year term limit with the possibility of renewal. Previously, cardinal dean, considered “first among equals,” was a life... Read more -
Benedictine Sisters in Ecuador inaugurate baby drop-off box
A group of religious sisters in Santo Domingo, Ecuador has installed the country’s first baby drop-off box, as an alternative to abortion for mothers who find themselves unable to care for their newborns. The Missionary Benedictine inaugurated the country’s first “Cradle of Life” baby... Read more -
Refuting the ‘Pagan Roots of Christmas’ Claim
ONE OF THE FIRST SHOWS about Christmas I watched as a kid was A Charlie Brown Christmas. I haven’t watched it in years, but I haven’t forgotten the culminating scene where Charlie Brown shouts above the noise to demand an answer to a question he’s struggling with: What is Christmas... Read more -
Journey From Advent to Christmas With Mary
When we imagine Mary making the journey to Bethlehem, we think of her as waiting for the Christ child. But she wasn’t waiting for Him. She was the only person who wasn’t waiting anymore. Yes, she was waiting for His birth, but she already knew Him. And not only did she know Him, but she knew... Read more -
Legion of Christ Says 33 of its Priests Sexually Abused Minors
Since its founding in 1941, 33 priests of the Legionaries of Christ committed sexual abuse of minors, victimizing 175 children, according to a report of an internal commission released Saturday. “The commission did not address the issue of abuse of power and conscience, nor has it delved... Read more -
Notre Dame Cathedral to miss first Christmas in centuries
Notre Dame kept Christmas going even during two world wars — a beacon of hope amid the bloodshed. Yet an accidental fire in peacetime finally stopped the Paris cathedral from celebrating Midnight Mass this year, for the first time in over two centuries. As the lights stay dim in the... Read more