National News
Campuses cannot be ‘echo chambers’ for one viewpoint, say observers
In the wake of several violent incidents involving controversial speakers at universities this year, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing June 20 on free speech on college campuses.
Pope Francis names former Phila. priest to head Cleveland Diocese
Bishop Nelson J. Perez, a former archdiocesan priest, will become the 11th bishop of Cleveland Sept. 5. Its current apostolic administrator is Bishop Daniel Thomas, also a Philadelphia native.
Nuclear weapons ban treaty has challenge of actual disarmament occurring
The passage of a United Nations treaty banning the possession of nuclear weapons comes at a time when the majority of world's nations are frustrated with the slow pace of nuclear disarmament.
Amid polarization, nation urged to reclaim civility through dialogue
Some blame politics, others blame the media for the coarsening of American culture. While some leaders fear political polarization is spilling over into the community of faith, all say respect for others is needed.
On anniversary of floods, West Virginia priest says need still great
The small town of Richwood, where Father Quy Ngoc Dang is administrator of Holy Family Parish, was devastated by flooding when a total of 7 inches of rain fell in just three hours there on the evening of June 23, 2016.
Upcoming Aug. 21 solar eclipse thrills astronomers and parishioners
Sweeping through the country's heartland, the eclipse will give millions of people the opportunity to step back from everyday concerns and appreciate how the universe works, said Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory.
Boy choristers from Spain called ‘messengers of peace, beauty’
Since the 13th century, the Escolania de Montserrat has sung daily for pilgrims at Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey in Catalonia, Spain. This summer they brought their sacred music to New Jersey, New York, Washington, San Francisco and Pasadena, California.
Arizona couple invested in the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great
Investiture in the order is the highest honor the church bestows on laypeople and is given in recognition of extraordinary service to the Vatican.
Four-day convocation in Orlando called ‘a journey’ for U.S. church
Sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the convocation brought together more than 3,100 lay and religious leaders from 160 dioceses and 185 national organizations. They gathered to explore the current challenges and strengths of the church and its evangelization efforts.
Images of faith preserved at Capitol attest to role of religion in U.S.
Elaborate artwork adorns the monumental buildings in the nation's capital, depicting the beauty and grandeur of the neoclassical era that inspired these buildings. Much of this artwork illustrates virtue and features several religious figures, highlighting the influence of religion in the history of the United States.