News
Some fleeing scene of wildfires describe it as escaping ‘gates of hell’
St. Mary's Catholic Church was at ground zero in the wildfires that devastated parts of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Nov. 28, and while flames reached to within yards of the tourist city church, it appears to have been spared. Some parishioners weren't as fortunate.
Faith leaders urge Obama to grant pardons to immigrants, prisoners
"There is tremendous fear in our communities. This is a moral rather than legal issue. The president does have the constitutional power to grant these pardons and he needs to act," said Richard Morales, immigration policy director for PICO.
In Ireland, doctors, church leaders tell the horrors of life in Syria
Fifty percent of Syria's hospitals and medical centers have been destroyed or looted and their staff kidnapped, tortured or slaughtered, a leading Syrian surgeon told members of the Irish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Orthodox patriarch says ‘Amoris Laetitia’ is about God’s mercy
Knowing the debate surrounding Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the family, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said the document "first and foremost recalls the mercy and compassion of God and not just moral norms and canonical rules."
Pope recognizes martyrdom of Oklahoma priest killed in Guatemala
Father Stanley Rother was brutally murdered July 28, 1981, in a Guatemalan village where he ministered to the poor. His recognition of martyrdom clears the way for his possible beatification, one step from sainthood.
Archdiocese casts ‘halo’ on Phila. region of at least $4.2 billion, report says
A new study presented Nov. 30 at Penn estimates the economic impact of the Catholic Church's service to the region. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's service "always has a deeper religious purpose," Archbishop Chaput said in his address.
Our Lady of Guadalupe’s message remains alive across five centuries
Mexican peasant Juan Diego was greeted by Mary and urged to share a message of hope and comfort as promised by God's compassion.
USCCB leaders seek prayers for migrants, refugees on Guadalupe feast
"As Christmas approaches and especially on this feast of Our Lady, we are reminded of how our savior Jesus Christ was not born in the comfort of his own home, but rather in an unfamiliar manger."
Pax Christi International seeks new Israeli-Palestinian peace process
Saying that adherence to international law is critical for a peaceful world, on Dec. 1 the Catholic peace organization urged Israel and Palestine to return to negotiations and "begin a dialogue rooted in mutual respect for human rights and the dignity of the other."
SS. Simon and Jude hosts night-long prayer vigil for life
The West Chester parish invites all adoration from 8 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 8 for prayers to overcome abortion, for religious freedom and for the dignity and sanctity of every human life to be respected.