Comments made about the religious affiliation of presidential candidates have no place in American political campaigns, say several dozen academics, diplomats and other prominent Catholics.

Almost half of Irish people polled say they now have an unfavourable view of the Catholic Church.

Solid catechesis, confidence in the faith and sharing the faith are critical elements to carrying out the work of the new evangelization, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington told high school religion teachers Oct. 28.

A mother uses a ladder to reach her son's tomb and offer a prayer at a public cemetery in Navotas, Philippines, Nov. 1.

Wisconsin's bishops have urged Catholics not to take weapons to church even though a new state law went into effect Nov. 1 allowing those with permits to carry concealed weapons.

The challenge posed to the world by the birth of its seven billionth inhabitant isn't how to stop population growth, but to find ways to ensure the continued growth can benefit all humanity, said an article in the Vatican newspaper.

The patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt blamed Islamic fundamentalists for the increasing number of attacks on Christians and criticized a growing division between Muslims and Christians since the country's February revolution.

A policy adviser to the U.S. bishops has resigned following a controversy over an opinion piece he wrote suggesting that same-sex attraction could be the work of the devil.

A nun prays after Communion as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass Nov. 3.

In his catechesis at the Oct. 27 Nothing More Beautiful session, Archbishop Richard Smith provided a succinct, thorough overview of Christian discipleship. The text of his talk, which consumed four pages in last week's WCR, might not seem concise. However, rare is the talk that would more concisely provide a thorough-going alternative to the faulty notion that being a Catholic means a life of following rules.

The archbishop hangs his hat on the Second Vatican Council's teaching that the meaning of Christ's revelation is expressed not only by his words, but also through his actions. When we try to live as Christ lived – that is, to be a disciple – we run up against our own hypocrisy. Our actions never measure up to what we say we believe.