The Eternal Word Television Network, based in Irondale, Ala., has signed a letter of intent to acquire the National Catholic Register, which describes itself as "the nation's leading Catholic newspaper."

The search for Christian unity has not been easy, but it already has drawn Christians closer to one another and made Christianity more attractive to those who do not believe, Pope Benedict said.

Today's model of "consuming" journalism bears little resemblance to the old-time model of perusing the newspaper for 20 or 30 minutes at a time at the breakfast table and after work, the head of a journalism think tank told members of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Communications Jan. 12.

As Democratic and Republican senators in the U.S. pressed their divergent views on the New START agreement with Russia outlining the next phase of nuclear disarmament during final debate in December, a wide array of Catholics played a major role in getting the pact ratified.

Jesus was a refugee — a fact that should be remembered as societies deal with modern issues of emigration and immigration, Pope Benedict said.

ST. ALBERT — Father Albert Lacombe, the dynamic Oblate priest who devoted his life to helping the Metis and First Nations through smallpox, war, starvation and the arrival of European civilization, made a personal appearance Jan. 16 at St. Albert Church. more . . .

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict has approved a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II's intercession, clearing the way for the late pope's beatification on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday. more . . .

EDMONTON - Catholic Social Services has once again surpassed its Sign of Hope campaign goal, this year raising a record $2,556,626. more . . .

EDMONTON — Any written account of Father Joseph McGrane appears jumpy. That's because he lived such an eventful life, always pressing forward into something new, something unpredictable. more . . .

In 1983 Pope John Paul II put a scare into Haiti's rulers. The pope stepped off his Alitalia plane and, disdaining the red carpet, the banquet and all the pomp Haiti's royal household could muster, he kissed the ground and spoke directly to the people. more . . .