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‘No logical connection’ between celibacy and abuse, CDF official says

VATICAN CITY — A senior official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has defended clerical celibacy in the wake of the abuse crisis.
In an essay published in a Spanish magazine, Fr. Jordi Bertomeu Farnós said that there is “no evidence” celibacy has any relation to instances of sexual abuse, and warned that priests have been unfairly branded a suspect class.
Call me ‘Father’: Pope’s priestly vocation is his favorite gift

VATICAN CITY — In Caravaggio’s painting of Matthew, the sinful tax collector being called by Jesus to “Follow me,” Pope Francis sees the same unexpected, grace-filled moment found in his own call to the priesthood.
Pope Francis celebrates 50th ordination anniversary by honoring his mentor

VATICAN CITY — Fifty years ago on Dec. 13, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained a Jesuit priest in Argentina. As pope, he will celebrate his ordination anniversary Friday by honoring one of his early spiritual mentors, Fr. Miguel Angel Fiorito.
Mary is loving mother, humble disciple, pope says on Guadalupe feast

VATICAN CITY — Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis said she reminds Catholics of her true essence as a woman, a mother and a "mestiza" or person of mixed race.
Religious education for children with special needs has grown more inclusive, but there’s room for improvement

Kaeli Hundley has a rare genetic disorder that affects her physical and intellectual development, leaving the 15-year-old at 4 feet, 9 inches tall and a mere 50 pounds. But her faith is mighty.
Christmas festivals raise $2.4 million for children’s health

The 37th annual Providence Festival of Trees concluded after 15,000 visitors attended the annual event at the Oregon Convention Center.
Go ahead, ask tough questions

A handful of western Oregon parishes are creating time and space for hospitality, friendship and candid investigation of life and Christianity.
Fact or fiction? Nine popular myths about Our Lady of Guadalupe

In the 500 years since Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared, the image of Our Lady has become the subject of several popular myths and legends, especially in Mexico, where she appeared.
Students kept safe in N.J. Catholic school during nearby gun battle

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Sacred Heart Catholic School in Jersey City remained closed Dec. 11, the day after gun battle involving two men around a kosher supermarket across the street from the school.
Bringing parishioners together

SPRINGFIELD — For years the first item on every pastoral council meeting at St. Alice Parish was unity. “We’re in danger of being two parishes in one building,” longtime council member Mike Whitney remembers hearing time and again. The concern was mirrored across both the English-speaking and the Spanish-speaking communities of parishioners.
DC basilica attack leaves 'Mary's Shrine' shaken, and at prayer

WASHINGTON — A violent attack at “Mary’s Shrine” in the nation’s capital Dec. 10 shook the community and prompted prayer and solidarity among staff and regular attendees.
Court won't take case on law requiring ultrasound before abortion

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Dec. 9 declined to take up a challenge to a Kentucky ultrasound law that requires a physician or qualified technician to perform an ultrasound on a woman seeking an abortion and show the screen images to her.
WATCH: Archbishop tells Vincentians: ‘Be the face of Christ’

TIGARD — Earlier in the day, Cyndi Kelly of St. Henry Parish in Gresham had paid a hotel bill for a woman just out of surgery. That evening, Kelly was one of about 300 members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who gathered for Mass and dinner at St. Anthony Parish here to mark the society’s 150 years in Portland.

That’s life in St. Vincent de Paul — mercy, prayer and community.
Six fall championships for Catholic schools

Oregon Catholic high schools earned a half dozen state titles in fall sports, from the gridiron to the volleyball court to muddy cross country trails.
Go to confession, let yourself be consoled, pope says

VATICAN CITY — Anyone who wants to experience the consolation and tenderness of God simply needs to go to confession, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass.
Survey: Americans dissatisfied with bishops’ response to sex abuse crisis

WASHINGTON — Americans largely disapprove of the way the U.S. bishops have handled the sex abuse scandal in the U.S. Catholic Church, a new survey has found. A majority said their trust in the leadership of the church has been damaged by the abuse crisis.
Northwest Catholic Counseling Center founders called to lead religious community

With the Nov. 24 departure of Servite Sisters Barbara Kennedy and Sarah Deeby, an era in Oregon church mental health services has ended. But the ministry they founded, the Northwest Catholic Counseling Center, is growing.
Grand hopes for Guadalupe

María Del Carmen Tapia remembers Dec. 11 during her childhood in Veracruz, Mexico. Late on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, she and her family would go to church and stay into the wee hours praying and singing enthusiastically to their beloved virgin.
Scotland's bishops issue letter on life issues ahead of election

EDINBURGH, Scotland — After Scotland’s Catholic bishops stressed the right to life as fundamental, their parliamentary office has released a letter setting out the Church’s teaching on abortion and assisted suicide ahead of the U.K. general election next week.
Pope names Cardinal Tagle to lead evangelization congregation

VATICAN CITY — In a move that may signal Pope Francis' plan for the reform of the Roman Curia is close to completion, the pope has named Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Pope: Mary's Immaculate Conception the start of the fulfillment of God's plan

VATICAN CITY — With Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception, God was, even before Mary’s birth, putting into motion his plan of salvation for the world, Pope Francis said Dec. 8.
FBI investigating fourth church attack this year in El Paso

The FBI is investigating the fourth case of church vandalism in El Paso this year, with authorities saying they are uncertain whether the incidents are related.
Advocates for poor expect new SNAP rule will boost hunger nationwide

WASHINGTON — Catholic advocates for poor people decried a new federal rule that tightens work requirements which determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and is expected to force hundreds of thousands to lose food stamps.
Jesuit superior general: Satan is real, and wants us to reject God

The superior general of the Jesuit order told reporters Dec. 2 that the devil is real, after making headlines in August by stating that Satan is a symbol, not a person.
Buffalo bishop resigns over handling of abuse

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone told Catholics Dec. 4 he asked Pope Francis to allow him to retire early so the people of the diocese "will be better served" by a new bishop who is "perhaps better able" to bring about "reconciliation, healing and renewal" in addressing the abuse crisis.
Pope Francis tells Jesuits he is shocked by anti-immigration narratives in Europe

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis decried the mistreatment of migrants and said that he is shocked by anti-immigration narratives within Europe during a conversation with Jesuits in Thailand published Dec. 5.
Tucson bishop, other Catholic leaders decry 'Remain in Mexico' expansion

TUCSON, Ariz. — Catholic leaders decried an expansion of the Trump administration's "Remain in Mexico" policy, which includes relocating migrants currently biding their time in the Tucson area back to border towns in Texas for transport back into Mexico.
Sailing to Byzantium at St. Mary Cathedral

Cappella Romana offered audiences in Portland, Seattle, Lake Oswego and Lincoln City a spectacular Northwest premiere of the century-old Alexander Kastalsky’s requiem to the fallen of World War I: “Memory Eternal to the Fallen Heroes.”
Sources: Rochester bishop requested Sheen beatification delay

VATICAN CITY — The beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen was delayed at the request of Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester due to concerns that Sheen could be cited in the final report covering an ongoing state attorney general’s investigation into New York’s bishops and dioceses.
What is consecrated virginity?

“I am espoused to him whom the angels serve; sun and moon stand in wonder at his glory.” So sings a consecrated virgin during the solemn, elaborate rite of consecration.
WATCH: Oregon woman shares her journey from spiritual crisis to consecrated virginity

On a seemingly unremarkable winter day, a 21-year-old Miriam Marston was reading a book as music played in the background.

Then, in a mere moment, she fell — hard — in love. It was the sort of love that upends life, that changes everything.
PeaceHealth at RiverBend earns an ‘A’

SPRINGFIELD – PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend was awarded an ‘A’ by a national hospital rating group.
WATCH: Friday night at the monastery

ST. BENEDICT — During gray-orange twilight, several dozen 20-somethings stroll quietly to the doors of the church at Mount Angel Abbey. Bells begin pealing, echoing over towns and farms.
Quebec considers expanding eligibility for euthanasia

QUEBEC CITY, Canada — Quebec's health minister announced Friday that the province will open a consultation on allowing euthanasia for people who can no longer give informed consent or who will die of an illness in the more distant future.
Beatification for Archbishop Sheen postponed

PEORIA, Ill. — Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria said Vatican officials have told him that the upcoming beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has been postponed.
Pope Francis: Disabled people are not in humanity's minor 'leagues'

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said Tuesday that disabled people make important contributions to humanity and called discrimination against them a sin. The pope added that disabled people are not members of humanity's minor “leagues.”
Catholic leaders urge Israel to investigate hate crimes in Arab villages

JERUSALEM — The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land condemned vandalism attacks in two Arab villages and called on Israeli authorities to "investigate seriously" what they termed hate crimes.
Seminary Tea Committee hears from new deacon, adds new members for April 29 event

“Do everything with style” was the motto of Gladys Dunn, foundress of the Seminary Tea Committee. The group was instituted nearly 85 years ago in the Archdiocese of Portland to give spiritual and financial support to seminarians.
Planned giving: Touching the world after death

To families struggling to make ends meet, it may seem counterintuitive. But experts say planning a charitable donation to be given after death can be a source of great joy. Estate gifts are a way to touch the future in just the way one wishes. And planned giving might even allow heirs to have a lifetime income and tax savings to boot.
Pope returns part of relic of Jesus' crib to Holy Land

VATICAN CITY — As Advent approached, Pope Francis gave a small fragment of Jesus' crib back to Catholics in the Holy Land.