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World News
‘We want whatever you have’ – Teams of Our Lady seek holiness in marriage
In 1938, a young French couple approached their parish priest, Fr. Henri Caffarel, asking for advice on how they could grow together spiritually within their marriage.After praying about the request, Caffarel – who had only been a priest for eight years — went on to form a group of four couples who...
World News
Where is the Rome-Germany blessings battle heading?
Vatican doctrinal chief Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández cranked up the pressure on Germany’s bishops Wednesday with a new statement on the country’s guidelines on blessings for unmarried and same-sex couples.German bishops await the opening Mass of their spring plenary assembly at Würzburg Cathedra...
World News
The newest synod reports: A reader's guide
Two Vatican study groups tied to the synod on synodality released final reports on Tuesday, with one focused on “emerging issues,” including homosexuality, and the other on the selection of bishops.St. Peter’s Basilica. public domain.The “emerging issues” group offered no concrete proposals, but inc...
World News
Vatican orders Baton Rouge bishop investigation
The Vatican has ordered an investigation in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, over allegations that the Bishop Michael Duca discouraged a whistleblower from calling the police, after a local priest allegedly admitted to sexual contact with minors.St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge. Credit: Farragutful/wiki...
World News
Starting Seven: May 8, 2026
Welcome to Starting Seven, The Pillar’s daily newsletter.I’m Luke Coppen and I aim to guide you each weekday morning to the most interesting Catholic news and commentary. Read more
World News
Leo’s first year, the Germans’ coming surrender, and Met life
Pillar paid subscribers can listen to Ed read this Pillar Post here: The Pillar TL;DRHappy Friday friends,And a happy first anniversary to our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, long may he reign.Thinking back to the moment last year when Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost was announced from the loggia with th...
World News
Reviewing ‘Raphael: Sublime Poetry’ at the Met
Yonder’s a work now, of that famous youthThe Urbinate who died five years ago.(’Tis copied, George Vasari sent it me.)Well, I can fancy how he did it all,Pouring his soul, with kings and popes to see,Reaching, that heaven might so replenish him,Above and through his art—for it gives way— from “Andre...
World News
Jesus does not recycle
Usually my husband takes the family trash to the dump, but he was sick, so I made the drive. I actually kind of enjoy this chore. Trash gets hurled into one dark hole of a bin, but there are several others waiting to receive plastic, glass, metal, and paper. What happens next, I don’t really know; b...
World News
‘There must be justice’ - Venezuelan bishops denounce death of political prisoner
Several Venezuelan bishops decried Friday the Venezuelan regime’s admission that a political prisoner died under law enforcement custody in July 2025.Our Lady of the Valley Basilica in Margarita Island, Venezuela. Credit: Wilfirdor / Wikimedia CC0.Subscribe nowOn May 7, the Ministry of Penitentiary...
World News
A bishop with three hats: Stock on England’s potential triple diocesan merger
England’s Bishop Marcus Stock is currently in the unusual position of overseeing not one but three dioceses.Bishop Marcus Stock of Leeds, England, at his episcopal ordination on Nov. 13, 2014. Credit: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.The 64-year-old has served since 2014 as the Bishop of Leeds, a histori...
Spirituality
Are We Bound by the Past? Generational Curses, Trauma, and the Freedom to Change
Early in my clinical training, one of my first patients told me something I have never forgotten: “my family is cursed—and so am I.” He described a history marked by abuse, addiction, and abandonment. Patterns that had repeated across generations. “It will always be like this,” he said, and so a lif...