Catholic News Service

Do not let a complex organizational hierarchy stifle creativity, Pope Francis told the Vatican's communications office.

Catholics around the world have their eyes on Germany as it works for change through its "Synodal Path," which is debating the issues of power, sexual morality, priestly life and the role of women in the church.

"We must use the moral strength of the U.S. to support a nonviolent and sustainable solution in the region," the six U.S. Franciscan provincials said in a letter to Joe Biden. "The U.S. is a key player in finding such a solution rooted in justice, respect for basic human rights and international law."

The Barcelona Archdiocese in Spain will combine most parishes into larger pastoral communities, amid falling church attendance and secularization.

The Holy Spirit's gift of comfort and solace is meant to unite all men and women and not take sides with any ideology, Pope Francis said on Pentecost.

Since President Joe Biden took office Jan. 20 and began shifting federal priorities toward achieving a greener country and addressing environmental justice in poor, minority and Indigenous communities, faith-based organizations see a new opening for cooperation and dialogue.

The Spanish bishops' conference expressed concern that migrants were being used to exert political pressure after a sudden influx of migrants in the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla increased tensions between Spain and Morocco.

Fifteen seminaries have committed to meeting five sexual misconduct policy benchmarks developed by a group of laypeople, seminary leaders and bishops.

After an octogenarian priest was swindled out of more than $450,000 over a two-year period and threatened when he stopped giving the "family" money, the Diocese of Padua, Italy, launched a continuing formation program for priests focused on financial accountability and avoiding scams.

Lawmakers and leaders of the faith-based Poor People's Campaign unveiled a sweeping new resolution on May 20 designed to eradicate poverty in the U.S.

When Pope Francis decided to cut the pay of Vatican employees, it was mostly welcomed as a positive effort. But some employees said the measures are disproportionate and aggravate existing systems of privileges.

As more Europeans are vaccinated and coronavirus cases continue to decrease, organizers of the upcoming 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, are optimistic that pilgrims will be able attend the event in September in person rather than online.

Many Catholic dioceses and archdioceses across the country — which closed their parish doors for a time at the start of the pandemic last year and have gradually opened them to limited occupancy in the past year — are getting ready to fully reopen on the feast of Pentecost, May 23.

Those who overcome distractions or obstacles when praying learn the value of perseverance in times of trial, Pope Francis said.

The new laws include many dealing with clerical sexual abuse and the obligation of bishops and religious superiors to act when allegations are made, but also include the "attempted ordination of women" and acts committed by priests against the sanctity of the Eucharist and against the sacrament of penance.

The annual diocesan celebration of World Youth Day is an important event that emphasizes the role young people play in the Catholic Church, the Vatican said.

Climate, biodiversity, health and Indigenous people's rights are interconnected, church leaders say.

Jesuit Fr. Stan Swamy, 84, was transferred from jail to a hospital May 18 after an outcry from relatives and fellow Jesuits following suspicions that he has contracted COVID-19.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signed into law a bill requiring death-row inmates to choose between the electric chair or the firing squad for their executions if lethal injection drugs are not available.

Officials in the Brooklyn Diocese said May 17 they will be "notifying our churches to be on alert" to vandalism and hate crimes directed at Catholic church property following two such incidents in about a three-day period.