News
Oregon Catholic Conference denounces state’s abortion funding bill
Calling state lawmakers "intolerant of widely held opposing views" and religious beliefs, the Oregon Catholic Conference is denouncing a Legislature-approved bill that requires health insurers to cover abortion on demand.
Braxton: Micah’s words on justice, love must be ‘written in our hearts’
UPDATED - The theme of the 12th National Black Catholic Congress July 6-9 in Orlando focused on a passage by Micah, known as the prophet of social justice, whose warnings and criticism of political corruption and urging of caring for the poor still ring true 2,700 years later.
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.