Articles by Courtney Mares
Christian leaders in Jerusalem respond to vandalism by settlers
May 7, 2018 / 15:27 pmChurch leaders are defending the need for a Christian presence in the Old City of Jerusalem, as some report increased vandalism, verbal abuse, and aggressive property acquisition by Jewish settlers.
Balancing human rights with peacebuilding efforts in North Korea
May 5, 2018 / 03:10 amThe potential release of three American prisoners from North Korea’s labor camps – reported to be “imminent” – would be a unique success at the intersection of human rights and peacebuilding efforts in the East Asian country.
As bishops say he's 'failed,' Nigeria's president meets with Trump
May 1, 2018 / 16:00 pmIn a meeting with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House Monday, President Donald Trump expressed his concern about recent attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Commentary: St Joseph the Worker in the 21st century
May 1, 2018 / 02:01 amAs the father of Alfie Evans fought to defend his son’s life, I could not help but think of St. Joseph fleeing the threat of King Herod’s tyranny with the Christ child in his arms.
Bishop: With historic Inter-Korean Summit, 'God answered our prayers'
Apr 27, 2018 / 15:42 pmLocal bishops called the Inter-Korean Summit an answered prayer after the leaders of the two Koreas signed a peace agreement on April 27.
New report paints worrying picture of global religious freedom
Apr 26, 2018 / 09:45 amReligious freedom conditions worsened across the globe in the past year, according to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom’s 2018 report, released April 25. ??
Vietnamese pastor who was jailed for faith says it was 'God's gift to me'
Apr 19, 2018 / 15:09 pmAfter surviving six years of imprisonment and torture, Vietnamese pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh told CNA that prayer sustained him through his physical suffering and pain.
Five things Catholics can do to support international religious liberty
Apr 19, 2018 / 14:09 pmAt the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Summit on Wednesday, Robert George shared five steps Catholics can take to support religious freedom at home and abroad.
US promises $16 million to aid Venezuelan refugees
Apr 16, 2018 / 15:33 pmAs the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela deepens, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced that the United States will provide nearly $16 million in aid to Venezuelan refugees.
How hospitals are targeted in the Syrian civil war
Apr 13, 2018 / 18:00 pmHospitals have become military targets in Syria, making it difficult to provide aid to victims of the country’s civil war, according to leaders of NGO and human rights groups working in the region.
Facebook CEO apologizes for 'mistake' of blocking Catholic content
Apr 11, 2018 / 12:12 pmFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced questions from lawmakers about his company’s censorship of Catholic content during his two-day congressional hearing following the revelation that millions of Facebook users’ personal data had been compromised.
President of France calls on Catholics to engage politically
Apr 11, 2018 / 02:03 amFrench President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of a Catholic voice in the country’s political debates, particularly on bioethical issues, in an address to the French bishops April 9.
Africans stand for life in UN battles over reproductive health
Apr 9, 2018 / 15:27 pmAfrican Catholics remained concerned about a push from Western leaders to promote abortion and contraception in Africa in the name of economic development, especially as the United Nations Commission on Population and Development began its annual meeting Monday.
Archbishop Chaput: Paul VI would not be surprised by the #MeToo movement
Apr 4, 2018 / 18:01 pm“The #MeToo movement, emotional wreckage, sexual disease and date rape are the realities we’ve inherited from the sexual revolution. Paul VI would not be surprised,” said Archbishop Charles Chaput in a speech Wednesday.
The Syria visited by Pope John Paul II, and Syria today
Apr 3, 2018 / 13:00 pmWhen Pope Saint John Paul II visited Syria in 2001, he called on Christians to remember Syria’s “magnificent contribution” to the history of Christianity. As the country reels from seven years of civil war, Christian communities in Damascus continue to struggle to protect that heritage.
Retreat fosters healing for adult children of divorce
Apr 2, 2018 / 02:39 amAccording to the Pew Research Center, only 46 percent of Americans under the age of 18 live in a traditional family with two parents in their first marriage.
For former inmates, returning to society comes with challenges
Mar 29, 2018 / 15:18 pmFor the fourth time in his pontificate, Pope Francis will wash the feet of inmates at a prison on Holy Thursday this year.
Ambassador Brownback: World faces a 'critical moment' for religious minorities
Mar 26, 2018 / 15:11 pm“It is more dangerous now than any time in history to be a person of faith,” said Ambassador Sam Brownback at an event marking the second anniversary of U.S. recognition that the Islamic State committed genocide against religious minorities, including Christians, in Syria and Iraq.
What the 'Great Firewall' might signal for Vatican-China deal
Mar 23, 2018 / 20:47 pmAs the Chinese government tightens control over Christian groups in the country, experts caution that Beijing is positioned to further restrict religious freedom, using the model of government-run social media.
Saint Paul film highlights Christian hope in the face of persecution
Mar 23, 2018 / 12:48 pmActors and filmmakers at the red carpet premiere of “Paul Apostle of Christ” said the film’s portrayal of Christian persecution in ancient Rome is a timely reminder that people around the world continue to suffer for their faith.