News
Australian nun ordered to leave Philippines by Nov. 3
Sister Patricia Fox, Philippine superior of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, had sought for six months to overturn repeated government decisions to deport her after she was accused of participating in partisan political activities.
Pakistani priest in Phila. recounts own persecution after Asia Bibi’s acquittal
Seven years ago, Father Tariq Isaac and his family fled Pakistan to escape attacks from Islamic extremists. Now the chaplain of Philadelphia's Pakistani Catholic community, he urges area Catholics to support their persecuted brethren through prayer and solidarity.
Aging conference looks to archdiocese for senior housing models
Professionals in town for a national gathering Oct. 28-31 met with staff from Catholic Housing and Community Services to discuss affordable living for a growing elderly population.
In northeastern Kenya, Catholic priest finds, rescues vulnerable children
Father Francis Riwa, 62, has helped street children, orphans and poor nomadic children in the desert region of Kenya. He has founded several Catholic churches and schools in predominantly Muslim northern Kenya, where it has been always rare to find a place of Christian worship.
Lay Catholics urged to channel anger at church abuse crisis to reform
Although the current sexual abuse crisis in the church is similar to what the church faced in 2002 when reports of past abuse and cover-up came out of Boston, how Catholics are responding this time is different.
Custom of dressing up for Halloween ‘devotional in spirit,’ says bishop
Halloween is an opportunity for Catholics "to express in every detail of our observance the beauty and depth of the feast of All Saints," said Bishop David A. Konderla of Tulsa.
East Timor government blocks president’s planned visit to Vatican
The government of East Timor, one of Asia's most Catholic countries, is blocking a planned trip by its president to the Vatican, where he plans to invite Pope Francis to visit.
Christians, Hindus can unite to defend poor, marginalized, Vatican says
Members of both faiths have a "moral duty to care for the vulnerable," which is rooted in the belief "that we are all God's creatures and, as a result, brothers and sisters, equal in dignity, with responsibility for one another," Bishop Miguel Ayuso Guixot said.
Pakistan court sets aside death sentence for woman convicted of blasphemy
Pakistan's Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Catholic convicted of blasphemy, and ordered her release from prison.
Fidelity is for every vocation, not just marriage, pope says
Married men and women, priests and religious are called to live out their vocation faithfully and follow the "path of love ... from receiving life to the ability to give life," Pope Francis said in a series of talks on the Ten Commandments.