Local News

Philadelphia priest again prays with pope, this time in Mexico

Father Robert Feeney, pastor of a Delaware County parish, joined a priest friend serving in Las Vegas -- they're both from Port Richmond -- to concelebrate Mass with Pope Francis recently in Mexico.

Socially responsible investors press companies to do the right thing

Corporations' annual general meetings give shareholders, especially faith-based investors, the chance to engage corporate leaders on issues such as human rights, climate change, human trafficking and lobbying.

Chinese authorities continue campaign, remove cross from Catholic church

Workers surprised parishioners by removing a Catholic church's cross before dawn Feb. 25. The Chinese government has taken down some 1,700 crosses from Protestant and Catholic churches since 2013.

Black Catholics point the way for church in transition

Some local Catholics see a dispirited church in decline, but editor Matthew Gambino sees in the faithful witness of black Catholics a model for vibrancy, fidelity to the Holy Spirit and a path to renewal.

Pope calls for ‘integration’ of divorced into church life

Recent remarks by Pope Francis suggest he believes reconciliation of divorced Catholics with the church and reception of the sacraments remains a possibility. A decision is expected perhaps by March 19.

Disease and cold add to suffering of refugees from Mozambique

An increasing number of Mozambicans, about 6,500 each day, are arriving at a makeshift camp in Malawi to escape violence at home, including summary executions and sexual violence, said a church worker.

In rural Kenya, Loreto sister creates Christian rite of passage for girls

With help of a religious sister, 80 Kenyan girls announced to their families and the world that they would refuse genital mutilation as a traditional transition to womanhood. The U.N. wants to end the practice by 2030.

After oil spill, nuns wonder where students will bathe and play

An oil pipeline break in Peru fouled the river where students of a Catholic boarding school bathe and wash their clothes. It's the 20th pipeline spill in five years in a once-rich fishing area where few now buy fish.

Glenside students take charity from the class to the community

St. Joseph the Protector School, along with St. Luke the Evangelist Parish's PREP students, support a local agency that helps families experiencing cancer. The charitable outreach is a lesson in school, and at home.

‘Condemned’ movie series to be featured in March on TCM

For three decades, the Catholic Legion of Decency held great sway not only over Catholic movie audiences but also the Hollywood film industry. Its legacy -- for good and for ill -- will be examined in a film series to be presented 8 p.m. (EST) Thursdays in March starting March 3, and stretching into the overnight hours each Thursday, on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel.