News
A different type of immigrant: Boston parish ministers to Brazilians
Father Carlos Barbosa, a Scalabrinian priest originally from Brazil, was sent to St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Everett, Massachusetts, to help minister to the Brazilian community. "We are the second-largest Brazilian parish (in the Archdiocese of Boston)," he said.
Hong Kong Christians pray for terminally ill Liu Xiaobo
UPDATED - Hong Kong Christians came together to pray for terminally ill Liu, who was recently released from a Chinese prison but still remains on the mainland.
Nigerian calls West’s imposition of abortion ‘cultural supremacy’
Canada, Great Britain and other donor nations want to boost abortion funding in African nations where people largely abhor the practice, said a pro-life advocate. Midwives and obstetricians are needed most, said a doctor.
Pope approves new path to sainthood: heroic act of loving service
In a new apostolic letter, the pope approved new norms allowing for candidates to be considered for sainthood because of the heroic way they freely risked their lives and died prematurely because of "an extreme act of charity."
Black Catholics at congress urged to ‘listen, learn, think, act and pray’
More than 2,000 converged on Orlando July 6-9 for the 12th National Black Catholic Congress where speakers -- clergy, lay and religious -- addressed a variety of topics and concerns facing black communities and families.
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.
Philippine bishops appeal for return to peace in south of country
In a statement at the end of their biannual meeting July 10, the bishops appealed for dialogue with Muslims, "so that our various faiths may not be exploited and abused for the sake of terrorism or violent extremism."
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.