Nation 

Film and evangelization – how Bishop Barron inspired high school seniors

By Maggie Maslak, CNA/EWTN News

Each year at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, students are required to complete a “senior evangelization project” for their final year's theology class.

This year, the students have been assigned by their teacher, John Goerke, with tackling their class project through a particular medium: film.

Each student has been charged with researching, writing, shooting, and editing their own film about Catholicism, inspired by Bishop Robert Barron’s own video series, “Catholicism: Pivotal Players”.

Because the project was…

Paul Ryan announces retirement from Congress

By Christine Rousselle, CNA/EWTN News

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) will not run for reelection this November, he announced on Wednesday. Ryan’s departure confirms rumors that began swirling in mid-December 2017. He will retire in January, at the conclusion of his term.

Ryan, who is a Catholic, was first elected to Congress in 1998, and became the speaker of the house in October of 2015. He has become known for his conservative views and was Mitt Romney’s running…

Legalizing assisted suicide harms those with depression, Hawaii bishop says

By CNA/EWTN News

Hawaii became last week the most recent US state to legalize assisted suicide, and the islands' bishop has written about the shortsightedness of permitting some residents to end their lives.

“I find it ironic that the act of taking one’s life, which people have been doing quite autonomously for thousands of years, is now only to be sanctioned if one has the permission of one’s 'health' care provider, the State legislature and the governor,” Bishop Larry Silva…

Wuerl: On ‘Humanae Vitae’ anniversary, we renew fidelity to the pope

By Christine Rousselle, CNA

“The Church, from the very beginning, has always recognized the special and unique role of Peter,” said Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the closing Mass of a Catholic University of America symposium on the 50th anniversary of papal encyclical Humanae Vitae.

The role of Peter - as an authoritative teacher of faith and morals - was reaffirmed, Wuerl believes, by the US bishops’ response to initial controversy over Humanae Vitae.

During the Mass, celebrated in the Basilica of the…

Police search Michigan bishop’s home, citing lack of cooperation in sex abuse investigation

By Mary Rezac, CNA/EWTN News

On Thursday, police in Saginaw, Michigan raided the home of Bishop Joseph Cistone, as well as the diocesan chancery and its cathedral rectory, as part of an ongoing investigation into sex abuse allegations against several diocesan priests.

CNA has reached out to the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan for comment but did not receive a response by press time.

Police told local media that they could not reveal what they were searching for or taking from…

Lenten campaign invites fallen-away Catholics back to confession

By CNA/EWTN News

Through an annual initiative called “The light is on for you,” dioceses throughout the U.S. have opened their doors to welcome fallen away Catholics back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“It’s an opportunity to reach out to people who may not be regularly thinking about confession and for it to spark their interest,” said Father Nicholas Vaskov, executive director of communications for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“This is sort of the apex of a long journey back…

What’s in it for men? The benefits of getting married

By CNA/EWTN News

While the phrase “ball and chain” is still sometimes tossed around by those who view marriage as a burden, a recent study shows that men who tie the knot reap a plethora of benefits.

“Indeed, the benefits of marriage for men are substantial by every conceivable measure, including money, a better sex life, and significantly better physical and mental health,” noted a recent study released by the Institute for Family Studies.

“There’s no doubt that marriage requires…

What’s the point of fasting, anyway?

By CNA/EWTN News

God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it – fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life.

But for many Catholics today, it's more of an afterthought: something we grudgingly do on Good Friday, perhaps on Ash Wednesday if we remember it. Would we fast more, especially during Lent, if we understood how helpful it is for our lives?

The answer to this, say both saints of the…

Nuns, guns and the Wild West: the extraordinary tale of Sr. Blandina

By Mary Rezac, CNA/EWTN News

Billy the Kid, a notorious bank and stage-coach robber of the Wild West, met his match in the most unlikely of people when he met Sister Blandina Segale.

According to legend, and to Sr. Blandina's journal and letters, one of Billy the Kid's gang members had been shot and was on the brink of death when the doctors of Trinidad, Colo. refused to treat him. Sister decided to take him in and cared…