Family

The Latest

Italian families and educators in St. Peter's Square for a meeting with Pope Francis, May 10, 2014.

Big families bring hope – not poverty, says Pope

Jan 21, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has rejected the “simplistic” belief that large families are among the causes of poverty, stressing that economic systems... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Sunday Mass at Rizal Park in Manila on Jan. 18, 2015.

Protect the family – Pope's parting message to the Philippines

Jan 18, 2015

In his homily for the Jan. 18 Closing Mass in the Philippines, Pope Francis pointed to our identity as God’s... Read more

'No human invention' – Marriage a divine plan, bishop says

Jan 5, 2015

Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury has responded to Pope Francis' call for renewed commitment to the “Gospel of the Family”... Read more

Conference to consider the human element in Catholic family life

Jan 2, 2015

Catholic marriage preparation and pastoral care of the family in light of human nature will be the topic of an... Read more

Pope Francis married 20 couples in St. Peter's Basilica on Sept. 14, 2014.

Pope: Church must improve marriage prep, strengthen families

Dec 8, 2014

Pope Francis in his latest interview reflected on October’s Extraordinary Synod on the Family, dismissing fears of doctrinal “collapse” while... Read more

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville (File Photo/CNA).

Archbishop Kurtz: Want to strengthen families? Witness 'truths of the faith'

Nov 10, 2014

In responding to crises faced by modern families, the Church must work to restore hope and confidence that the call... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Oct. 4, 2014.

Where does every vocation start? The family, Pope Francis says

Nov 8, 2014

By Ann Schneible

In a meeting with members of the Italian Adult Catholic Scouting Movement, Pope Francis stressed the “educative mission” of the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on June 18, 2014.

Pope commends Malawians' pledge to family despite obstacles

Nov 7, 2014

Addressing the bishops from the southeast African nation of Malawi on Thursday, Pope Francis noted his gratitude to their people... Read more

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington arrives at the Vatican's Synod Hall during the Synod on the Family, Oct. 10, 2014.

How one cardinal proposes to correct ignorance of marriage's nature

Oct 30, 2014

By Matt Hadro

According to the Archbishop of Washington, the recent Synod on the Family worked to address the challenge that many young... Read more

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrates Mass for the 20th annniversary of the Denver WYD Aug 15, 2013.

Archbishop Aquila: Media missed message of joy at synod

Oct 30, 2014

The joy of the Gospel of Marriage is alive, said Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver, explaining that although the mainstream... Read more

Pope Francis at an Oct. 25, 2014 audience with Schoenstatt movement.

'What is being proposed is not marriage' – Pope calls for defense of family

Oct 26, 2014

By Elise Harris

In an audience with members of an international Marian movement, Pope Francis warned that the sacrament of marriage has been... Read more

Lisa Rice and Ross Cavanagh, an engaged couple who will be among the first to use the new marriage prep program. Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh.

How Catholics in Scotland are reforming marriage prep

Oct 23, 2014

A new marriage preparation program in the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh aims to help engaged Catholics on their... Read more

Death of St. Joseph, from the stained glass at St Martin parish in Florac, France.

Why isn't Saint Joseph patron of families yet? synod father asks

Oct 14, 2014

The archbishop of El Salvador's capital city, who is in Rome for the Oct. 5-19 Synod on the Family, has... Read more

Syrian Christian refugees.

Sheer 'barbarism' against Middle East families must end

Oct 11, 2014

The Synod of Bishops on Friday denounced “barbaric” violence in the Middle East, saying the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt... Read more

A vandalized St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria.

As violence ravages homeland, Nigerian bishop hopes in synod

Oct 8, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, has high hopes for the outcome of the current bishops’ synod, noting the contributions... Read more

Pope Francis rides through St. Peter's Square before his Wednesday General Audience, April 28, 2013.

Pope: Family needs Scripture to move forward in faith, hope

Oct 5, 2014

By Ann Schneible

“In order for the family to proceed well, with faith and hope,” said Pope Francis to crowds in St. Peter's... Read more

Arturo and Hermelinda de Sa Zamperline.

Family life requires love of God, say married synod participants

Sep 30, 2014

A Brazilian couple who will speak at the upcoming Synod on the Family at the Vatican said they hope to... Read more

US bishops invite faithful to pray for family synod

Sep 24, 2014

The U.S. bishops have asked Catholics to take part in a worldwide day of prayer on Sept. 28 for the... Read more

Bishop James Conley.

Marriage prep begins at home, Bishop Conley says

Sep 19, 2014

Preparation for the sacrament of Holy Matrimony begins with family life in the home long before a couple has met,... Read more

Archbishop Charles Chaput and the World Meeting of Families catechesis book in Rome on Sept. 15, 2014.

Meeting of Families document offers global perspective

Sep 16, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

The preparatory catechesis document for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is a “wonderful” work that addresses Catholic family issues... Read more