News

For 25 years, St. Martin serves ‘the Kingdom in North Philadelphia’

St. Martin de Porres Parish marked its 25th anniversary as the incarnation of five former parishes in North Philly. Small but vibrant, and boasting a unique men's choir, the parish believes the best is yet to come.

St. Katharine’s tomb moved to cathedral, open for prayerful visits

Moving the remains of Philadelphia's saint from the shrine in Bensalem to the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul was completed Oct. 26 after 12 weeks. Archbishop Chaput will lead the formal dedication Nov. 18, to which all are invited.

Bishops to consider endorsing sainthood cause of Sister Thea Bowman

The granddaughter of slaves, she was the only African-American member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and she transcended racism to leave a lasting mark on U.S. Catholic life in the late 20th century.

Gift of nun doll collection helps preserve legacy of women religious

The 75 carefully and meticulously created nun dolls in Margaret Alsup's collection are now in the care of the Archdiocese of Atlanta's Office of Archives and Records, where they are in full display.

Concerned over food for the poor, parishioners write legislators

More than 60 parishioners of Old St. Joseph Parish in Philadelphia gathered after Sunday Masses Oct. 7 to write 112 letters to members of Congress to save funding for food programs in the Farm Bill.

Canon law empowers lay people in addressing abuse crisis, lawyers say

Lay people "have the right and even at times the duty" to voice their opinions to bishops grappling with the sexual abuse crisis. It is a consultative voice that depends on a bishop's willingness to listen, experts say.

From Nairobi to New York, human life should be respected, says speaker

Obianuju Ekeocha, founder and president of Culture of Life Africa, encouraged a Washington audience Oct. 23 to celebrate the birth of babies and to ensure that U.S. government funds do not go toward promoting a culture of abortion in Africa.

Woman religious urges college students to help at border

"We have passion and energy, but we're getting older!" Sister Mary McCabe told the students, pleading with them to join the sisters' efforts with even the small step of submitting public comment with the Department of Homeland Security against the indefinite detention of immigrant children.

Richmond bishop honored for steps to address abuse crisis, promote healing

Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond, Virginia received the St. Luke Award at the 2018 annual benefit for St. Luke Institute, which provides treatment and education for priests and consecrated men and women religious worldwide.

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.