Catholic Church

A man leaves an empty church in Bonn, Germany, June 12, 2020. The Catholic Church in Germany continues to shrink, according to a new report released June 27, 2024, by the German bishops' conference. The latest statistics show that more than 400,000 people left the country's Catholic Church last year. (OSV News photo/Harald Oppitz, Reuters)

Report: Germany’s Catholic Church shrinks; over 400,000 left in 2023

The Catholic Church in Germany continues to shrink, a new study has found. More than 400,000 people in the European country left the church in 2023.

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Pope Francis presides over Mass Oct. 29, 2023, marking the end of the first session of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Synod report for U.S. shows ‘deep desire to rebuild’ the body of Christ

Growth, undeniable tensions and "a deep desire to rebuild and strengthen" the body of Christ have emerged as key themes in the latest synod report for the Catholic Church in the U.S.
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Pope Francis greets retired Pope Benedict XVI at the retired pontiff's Vatican residence Dec. 23, 2013. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Pope Francis on his relationship with Benedict: ‘He always defended me’

For the nearly 10 years that Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI lived on opposite sides of St. Peter's Basilica, the two popes' relationship was marked by a deep mutual respect and sense of solidarity.
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Church has a crucial role in combating polarization, ‘Civilize it’ panelists say

The church has a crucial role in combating the rise of polarization, panelists said at a March 20 webinar organized by the U.S. bishops' conference and other Catholic groups.
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woman praying

Saints Be Praised!

The saints and blesseds are special signs of God’s activity.
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Jeremy Alexander, an iconographer and second-year theology teacher at Detroit Cristo Rey High School, is pictured Dec. 18, 2023, with a mural he created on a wall of the school's small chapel. Painted in his signature Byzantine style, the mural features 37 diverse saints, artists, poets, civil rights leaders and human rights activists. (OSV News photo/Steven Stechschulte, special to the Detroit Catholic)

Teacher’s mural features 37 diverse saints, artists, poets, civil rights leaders

Kim Redigan used to look out the window of Detroit Cristo Rey High School's small chapel as she prayed.
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fat tuesday and lent

The Roots of Fat Tuesday, the Fruits of Lent

In "The Roots of Fat Tuesday, the Fruits of Lent," Friar Jim breaks down this celebration.
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