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Curbing gene editing
Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced he had produced the first gene-edited human babies nearly two years ago. The scientific world has reeled ever since, looking for ways to provide oversight for this controversial sector of science. Researchers have not perfected techniques to edit the... Read more -
The Lord Is Eager to Engage the Battle; Are You?
The Gospel for Thursday of the 29th Week of the Year speaks of a great cosmic battle taking place all around us. In it, Jesus speaks of His mission to engage our ancient foe and to gather God’s elect back from the enslaving clutches of Satan, who was a murderer and a liar from the beginning... Read more -
St. John Paul II & the Theology of the Family
On April 2, 2005, the Pope lay dying. After a nearly-27 year pontificate, one of the most famous men in the world was on his death bed. I sat at home, alone, and watched news coverage of this holy man’s last hours. That afternoon, the pope died. A few days later, as I watched coverage of his... Read more -
What did Pope Francis say about civil unions? A CNA Explainer
“Francesco,” a newly released documentary on the life and ministry of Pope Francis, has made global headlines, because the film contains a scene in which Pope Francis calls for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples. Some activists and media reports have suggested that Pope... Read more -
Killer of martyred Italian nun: ‘I can have of her only a memory of love’
The three teenage girls who killed Sr. Maria Laura Mainetti 20 years ago attested afterward that, while they were stabbing the 60-year-old religious sister to death, she told them she forgave them. “The sister cried out. She said she would not report us. That she forgave us,” Milena De... Read more -
On His Feast Day: St. John Paul II’s Thanks to Amy Coney Barrett
It appears a done deal: Amy Coney Barrett, faithful Catholic and Supreme Court nominee, will be confirmed to the Supreme Court before election day. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote at 1:00 p.m. Thursday; and just a few days later, the Republican-majority Senate will vote to approve... Read more -
On John Paul II’s centenary
Pope John Paul II prays during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in 2003. (CNS photo by Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo) As the world and the Church mark the centenary of the birth of Pope St. John Paul II on May 18, a kaleidoscope of memories will shape my prayer and... Read more -
Here’s why John Paul II said “Do not be afraid”
Renata Sedmakova | Shutterstock Throughout his 26-year pontificate, one of St. John Paul II’s most used phrases was, “Do not be afraid” (also phrased “Be not afraid”). Was that planned? How did it come about? John Paul II reflected on that phrase in the book Crossing the... Read more -
Strong Poll Numbers for Amy Coney Barrett and the Legitimacy of the Supreme Court
A Morning Consult poll released Wednesday shows that 51 percent of voters support the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, while only 28 percent are opposed. Support for Barrett’s confirmation among independents jumped 13 percentage points on net... Read more -
Polish bishop dies from the coronavirus
A Polish bishop died from COVID-19 Tuesday at the age of 83. Bishop Bogdan Wojtuś died at noon local time Oct. 20, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Gniezno. Wojtuś, a retired auxiliary bishop of Gniezno archdiocese, was admitted to hospital on Saturday after... Read more