News
Nations are built by migrants, pope says
Countries do not develop by themselves, and migrants often travel to a new land in a group, like those currently traveling through Central America and Mexico, pope Francis told a group of missionaries.
Catholic groups urge humane treatment of migrants headed to border
As a group from Central America heads to the border between the U.S. and Mexico, the Trump administration is said to be getting ready to send troops to meet them and Catholic groups are asking that the migrants be treated humanely.
’60 Minutes’ probes handling of abuse claims by Buffalo Diocese
How the diocese handles cases of priests suspected of abuse was the subject of a report by the CBS newsmagazine, which talked to a woman who leaked diocesan files on those priests.
Federal authorities order USCCB, dioceses to retain documents
With the Justice Department's request for 197 U.S. dioceses and the national bishops' conference to keep all files pertaining to sex abuse allegations, the probe that began in Pa. appears to be extending nationwide.
Trappist Father Keating, leading figure in centering prayer, dies at 95
With the encouragement of St. Paul VI to rediscover the contemplative tradition, Father Keating helped found Contemplative Outreach for centering prayer -- a technique of praying silently to God without words -- in 1984.
Father James Melle, native of Norristown, dies at 74
A parish priest and teacher at four Catholic high schools in the archdiocese, the priest ordained in 1972 will be laid to rest Oct. 31 in the presence of two bishops and other priest friends, who remember him fondly.
Vandalism, monk’s arrest concern Holy Land church leaders
In one week, "excessive force" was used by Israeli police against a Coptic monk, and the cemetery of a Salesian monastery was damaged for the third time in two years.
Feds denied permission to survey Texas church property for border wall
UPDATED - Federal officials sought entry to two properties of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, to survey the land for a border wall. But the bishop did not consent, saying a wall "would limit freedom of the church to exercise her mission."
Abuse crisis, prayer top agenda for bishops’ meeting
UPDATED - Discussion and voting on concrete measures to address the abuse crisis and a day of spiritual discernment will be the focus for the U.S. bishops when they meet Nov. 12-14.
African church warns against illusions of ‘gospel of prosperity’
The "prosperity gospel" touted by U.S. televangelists suggests God rewards donors to a church with material benefits. Although the movement is gaining ground in Africa, the church aims to empower people through education and job training.