Articles by Shannon Mullen
Pope Francis pleads for an end to 'abhorrent' war in Ukraine
Mar 20, 2022 / 05:28 amPope Francis continued to call for an end to the war in Ukraine Sunday, calling the violence against innocent Ukrainians “inhuman” and “sacrilegious.”
Ukrainian archbishop calls for worldwide novena ahead of Pope Francis' consecration of Russia, Ukraine
Mar 15, 2022 / 17:15 pmUkrainian Catholic leaders have been urging Pope Francis to take the dramatic step to consecrate both Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and will lead a nine-day novena to prepare for the March 25 event, a top prelate in the war-ravaged country told CNA.
Is the viral video of the Blessed Sacrament traveling through Kyiv fact or fiction?
Mar 15, 2022 / 15:30 pmA video from Ukraine tweeted on March 12 quickly went viral. But did it show the Blessed Sacrament traveling through war-torn Kyiv — or something else?
Pope Francis: Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your desire to pray
Mar 13, 2022 / 07:37 amNoting that the Gospel reveals that Peter, James, and John had fallen asleep prior to Jesus' Transfiguration, Pope Francis urged the faithful during his Angelus reflection Sunday to call on the Holy Spirit to awaken their desire to pray.
Pro-life leaders applaud Texas Supreme Court ruling upholding Heartbeat Act
Mar 11, 2022 / 15:40 pmThe Texas Supreme Court ended a final challenge to the state’s Heartbeat Act Friday, leaving in place one of the nation’s most robust pro-life laws.
If this nun-doctor can't get a vaccine religious exemption, who can?
Mar 11, 2022 / 08:10 amIf a Roman Catholic nun who is a doctor serving the poor in DC can't get a religious exemption to the city's COVID-19 mandate, who can?
Focus on the goodness in others, not the flaws, Pope Francis urges
Feb 27, 2022 / 11:04 amIn his weekly Angelus address Feb. 27, Pope Francis reflected on Sunday’s Gospel, in which Jesus asks the question: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”
You saw the guitar blessing? There was more to that Mass that you missed
Feb 23, 2022 / 14:16 pmA tweeted video clip of a priest using a guitar to bless the congregation at the end of Mass sparked outrage on social media. But other features of the same Mass also raise eyebrows.
March for Life 2022: 'A great witness to the sanctity of human life'
Jan 21, 2022 / 18:44 pmParticipants returned in large numbers to the annual March for Life Friday, braving frigid weather one year after the event’s pandemic-related virtual shutdown to demonstrate solidarity for the unborn at the start what could be a decisive year for the pro-life movement.
'Every person matters,' Father Mike Schmitz tells pro-life marchers
Jan 21, 2022 / 14:24 pmFather Mike Schmitz, best known as the host of the "Bible in a Year" podcast, gave an emotional, personal speech about the dignity of human life at the March for Life rally on Jan. 21.
March for Life underway, with hopes rising that Roe's days are numbered
Jan 21, 2022 / 11:36 amTens of thousands of pro-life Americans gathered Friday to participate in the 49th annual March for Life, amid rising hopes that the event’s goal of overturning the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide may be within reach.
Activist group projects pro-choice messages on Washington basilica on eve of March for Life
Jan 20, 2022 / 23:16 pmIn a provocative act on the eve of the annual March for Life, an activist group projected pro-choice messages on the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Coalition to protect, advance Catholic health care launches
Jan 20, 2022 / 16:38 pmBishop James Conley and the leaders of five Catholic medical or professional associations on Thursday founded the Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance, meant to support the reception and provision of health care in accord with Church teaching.
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Supreme Court halts Biden vaccine-or-test policy for businesses, allows mandate for health care workers
Jan 13, 2022 / 13:20 pmThe Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden's sweeping vaccine-or-test mandate for private sector businesses, while allowing a new federal rule to go forward that requires millions of U.S. health care workers to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Synod snafu: The USCCB tweet Catholic Twitter can't stop talking about
Jan 11, 2022 / 10:43 amNo one ever said gathering constructive input from the world's 1 billion Catholics was going to be easy. But a tweet from the U.S. bishops about the upcoming Synod on Synodality backfired in a big way.
Cardinal Cupich booed and heckled by some at Chicago March for Life rally
Jan 9, 2022 / 12:25 pmCardinal Blase Cupich got a rough reception from some in the crowd at Chicago's March for Life rally on Jan. 8.
Conservative Supreme Court justices question basis for Biden COVID-19 vaccine policies
Jan 7, 2022 / 16:34 pmAs the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on the legality of President Joe Biden's COVID-19 mandates for businesses and health care workers, the livelihoods of millions of Americans hang in the balance.
Bible in a Year: Have you heard about Father Mike Schmitz's next project?
Jan 7, 2022 / 04:00 amAscension's hugely successful Bible in a Year podcast started 2022 ranked No. 1 among podcasts in all categories. In a recent interview with EWTN, the podcast's host, Father Michael Schmitz, revealed what he plans to do for an encore.
His fellow Democrats want him to resign because he's pro-life, but Aaron Oliver won't budge
Jan 2, 2022 / 07:30 amAaron Oliver thinks it's possible to be pro-life and a loyal Democrat. The leaders of his party think otherwise, and want him gone.
Uproar over Chicago Mass: Did this Christmas Eve liturgy go too far?
Dec 30, 2021 / 13:28 pmSome Catholics believe the live streamed Christmas Eve liturgy at St. Sabina Church in Chicago, which featured a jazz band, dancing around the altar, and Broadway-like lighting effects, crossed the line from worship to entertainment.