News
Devotion to Holy Face of Jesus rising on home visits, phone app
The image is "not the happy thumbs-up Jesus," but Ian Snyder of Nebraska felt drawn to it, and he and his wife hosted it and prayed a nine-day novena to consecrate their home and family.
Independent immigration court sought for 1 million-case backlog
Judges and attorneys from around the country say disarray in the courts is leading to a lack of due process for asylum-seekers and others. One lawmaker supports separating immigration court from the Justice Department.
Seminarian murdered by kidnappers in Nigeria
The kidnapping of four seminarians is the latest in a string of attacks against Christians in Nigeria, who have been targeted by terrorist groups and by bandits extorting money from the Catholic Church.
Vatican donates masks to China to combat coronavirus outbreak
Since Jan. 27, the Vatican has sent up to 700,000 protective masks to three affected regions in China. "The whole world is standing together to fight the virus," said a Chinese priest in Rome.
Vows of religious women, men not sacrifices but freedom, pope says
Celebrating the World Day for Consecrated Life Feb. 1, Pope Francis urged women and men religious to be people of hope. He asked all Catholics to pray for them as they serve God and their brothers and sisters.
Frankford friars make infants, families feel welcome
Days before the celebration of Christ's presentation in the Temple, a local Capuchin community presented newborns and parents before the altar at a Jan. 15 Mass.
Catholic leaders put local food on the line for Super Bowl matchup
As the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the gridiron on Feb. 2, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. have made a deal pitting Dungeness crabs against steaks.
Administration imposes travel restrictions on six African, Asian countries
In a Jan. 31 decision denounced by faith-based groups and immigration advocates, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Sudan and Myanmar were added to a list of nations that "failed to meet minimum security requirements" for U.S. travel visas.
Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., considering bankruptcy filing
Citing consequences from the abuse scandal, a financial statement lists a $5 million loss for fiscal year 2019. Albany Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, temporarily leading the diocese, said in a Jan. 30 statement that Chapter 11 is being considered.
Sister Ruth Ruster dies, was convert then religious for 66 years
After her family moved to Philadelphia and entered school, she converted to Catholicism at age 10. She later entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and served until her death at 82.