
In their search for ever more inventive ways to preach the Gospel, evangelizing entrepreneurs have developed a series of phone and tablet applications (apps) that are taking the Christian world by storm.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.24 Dec 2015, 9:04 AM PST0

The bishop in charge of the pastoral care of prison inmates in Cuba declared Wednesday that Cuba is holding a number of political prisoners on the island, some of whom are serving long sentences, a claim that Havana has repeatedly denied.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.24 Dec 2015, 6:51 AM PST0

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (pictured) says that he has met the December deadline set for defeating the jihadi terror group Boko Haram and that the Islamists are no longer capable of mounting a serious attack against the Nigerian military or
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.24 Dec 2015, 1:42 AM PST0

As a bastion of the dark side of the Force, Planned Parenthood co-opted Star Wars imagery in an attempt to capitalize on the outstanding popularity of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.23 Dec 2015, 4:42 AM PST0

A barge carrying 25-30 migrants capsized off the coast of Greece early Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of at least eleven of the passengers, including four children and one newborn infant. Fifteen of the passengers were saved by rescuers
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.23 Dec 2015, 1:31 AM PST0

In a series of new regulations, New York City human rights officials have threatened sanctions to landlords, employers, and businesses who prevent cross-dressing men from using the ladies’ room, under provisions against transgender discrimination.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.22 Dec 2015, 5:56 AM PST0

A recent CNN article claims that Christians who take the nativity story seriously should draw parallels between the birth of Christ and the waves of Muslim migrants washing over Europe and other parts of the world. Writer Jay Parini says
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.22 Dec 2015, 4:48 AM PST0

As part of their recent focus on the most vulnerable targets, Islamic State militants shelled a school in eastern Syria on Tuesday morning, killing at least nine schoolgirls and wounding another 20 people. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.22 Dec 2015, 3:32 AM PST0

According to an article in the New York Times Monday, President Obama’s full-court press for homosexual rights in Africa has backfired, resulting in increased hostility toward gays rather than greater acceptance.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.21 Dec 2015, 9:53 AM PST0

In preparation for Christmas, Pope Francis underscored Christ’s option to be born into a poor, humble family, adding that people cannot buy their way into Heaven, but must do things God’s way, which is the way of simplicity.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.21 Dec 2015, 6:42 AM PST0

Some 10,000 faithful from the underground Catholic Church in China gathered at the Zhengding Cathedral on the third Sunday of Advent to celebrate the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the opening of the Holy Door.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.20 Dec 2015, 6:37 AM PST0

A three-woman delegation representing a UN working group on discrimination against women visited the United States for 10 days in December to prepare a report on gender equality in America, and reportedly were “appalled” by what they found.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.20 Dec 2015, 6:17 AM PST0

In a meeting with pilgrims Friday, Pope Francis told his audience that at the first Christmas, Jesus didn’t just make an appearance only to leave again but came because he wanted to stay with us and share fully in our lives.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.19 Dec 2015, 11:16 AM PST0

During the night from Friday to Saturday a ship transporting migrants capsized in the Aegean Sea off the Turkish coast, leaving at least 18 dead and 14 survivors. Turkish media reports note that the death toll is provisional and there
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.19 Dec 2015, 4:20 AM PST0

This year the Vatican is reclaiming the traditional Judeo-Christian symbol of the rainbow, decorating the enormous Christmas tree in Saint Peter’s Square in rainbow colors as a presage of the coming of the Messiah rather than a symbol of the LGBT movement.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.18 Dec 2015, 9:33 AM PST0

Pope Francis has officially recognized the second miracle of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, clearing the way for her canonization, which will reportedly take place on September 4, 2016, as a major event of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.18 Dec 2015, 5:24 AM PST0

For the first time in months Islamic State militants mounted a major attack in northern Iraq late Wednesday, but its forces were soundly repelled by Kurdish Peshmerga forces aided by U.S. and coalition air strikes.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.18 Dec 2015, 5:09 AM PST0

Evidence has been uncovered corroborating the site of one of Jesus’ most powerful and dramatic miracles: the casting out of demons into a herd of swine in the land of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes).
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.17 Dec 2015, 11:28 AM PST0

A group of prominent Orthodox rabbis in Israel, the United States and Europe have issued a historic public statement affirming that Christianity is “the willed divine outcome and gift to the nations” and urging Jews and Christians to “work together as partners to address the moral challenges of our era.”
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.17 Dec 2015, 5:30 AM PST0

In his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis departed from his written text to caution pilgrims against crooks who would charge money to pass through the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica, reminding them that God’s blessings come free of charge. “Be
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.17 Dec 2015, 5:28 AM PST0

A Michigan Catholic high school run by the Christian Brothers of Ireland is under fire for the creation of a “sacred space” for its Muslim students to worship during school hours.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.17 Dec 2015, 5:20 AM PST0

An essay in this week’s issue of The Economist suggests that for the first time since its birth, the Islamic State may be running aground on financial shoals, prompting some “to ask whether IS will survive.”
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.16 Dec 2015, 1:40 PM PST0

Local Church officials have opened a new Catholic university in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, which Erbil Archbishop Bashar Warda has called “a way of fighting back against Islamic State.”
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.15 Dec 2015, 4:47 AM PST0

A bill in the Missouri Senate would prevent doctors from performing a selective abortion if a woman is seeking it solely because of a diagnosis of Down syndrome.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.15 Dec 2015, 4:44 AM PST0

The Commissioner of the European Union (EU) has urged Italy to “use force” when necessary to collect the fingerprints of asylum seekers coming into the country, and to immediately activate two new migrant registration “hotspots” to ensure that all migrants
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.15 Dec 2015, 1:29 AM PST0