People and Events
Two local Catholic academies rise to finals of rocketry tourney
Nazareth Academy in Philadelphia and Villa Joseph Marie High School in Holland competed against 100 schools in the national finals of Team America Rocketry Challenge May 18 in Virginia.
Former Jerusalem patriarch: Time to move away from war
Seemingly addressing U.S. President Donald Trump, Archbishop Sabbah said since the president says he believes in the Bible, he should read it and pay attention to what is written there about peace.
School choice advocates in Florida celebrate new scholarship program
In response to an increased waiting list of one scholarship program, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will create another scholarship program that could benefit as many as 18,000 students in the 2019-2020 school year to attend private schools.
Pope asks Italian bishops finally to implement tribunal reforms
Pope Francis told the bishops of Italy that he was disappointed that so many of their dioceses had yet to implement the reforms he ordered to make the marriage annulment process quicker, more pastoral and less expensive.
Missouri lawmakers ‘clearly on side of life’ with passage of abortion bill
The bill would criminalize any abortion beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of medical emergencies. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Doctors who perform abortions after eight weeks face five to 15 years in prison. There is no punishment for the mother.
Indian Jesuit accused of rape says he will appeal
Father Aind was convicted for conspiracy and not reporting the crime of which he allegedly had full knowledge. But Father Xalxo said the Jesuit, who is now in jail, had been "framed" for political reasons.
Montreal archbishop, religious leaders oppose Quebec’s secularism bill
The Quebec government hopes the bill will end the debate about how religion should be handled in the public sphere by preventing many public servants, like judges, police officers, and public-school teachers, from wearing any religious symbol.
Limiting Muslim immigration is patriotic, U.S. cardinal says
At a Rome pro-life conference, Cardinal Raymond Burke said it was "responsible" for Christian nations to "resist large-scale Muslim immigration." A Dutch cardinal said those who experience gender dysphoria should be offered psychotherapy, not surgery.
Two young men shot dead outside Mass in Mexico
It was the latest atrocity in a steady string of mass slayings, which have highlighted a surge in the country's already shockingly high homicide rate.
Loving like Jesus loves leads to dialogue, fraternity, pope says
Pope Francis asked the thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the noon prayer to ask themselves if they are able to love their enemies and forgive those who have wronged them.