News
Pope: World needs a justice system open to hope, not just punishment
After celebrating Mass with detainees and people who had been in prison, Pope Francis called on governments to mark the end of the Year of Mercy by extending clemency to deserving inmates.
In China, new bishops must have papal approval, spokesman says
No matter what the motivation or how seriously threatened one may believe the Catholic Church in China is, the ordination of bishops without a mandate from the pope is a serious violation of church law, the Vatican said.
Dutch cardinal says papal encyclical on gender theory might be needed
Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, Netherlands, said even Catholic parents were beginning to accept that their own children can choose their genders partly because "they don't hear anything else."
Pope issues new statutes for Pontifical Academy for Life
The main goal of the academy, as founded in 1994 by St. John Paul II, is still "the defense and promotion of the value of human life and the dignity of the person," according to the new statutes, which were published Nov. 5 at the Vatican.
500 religious leaders join Standing Rock Sioux in opposing oil pipeline
The two members of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas joined more than 500 ministers and religious leaders Nov. 4 for a day of prayer and conversation in south central North Dakota to confront what they contend is an ecological disaster waiting to happen.
Pope appoints Cardinal-designate Tobin as new archbishop of Newark
UPDATED - The 64-year-old cardinal-designate, who is a member of the Redemptorist order, has been the archbishop of Indianapolis since 2012 and was named a new cardinal by Pope Francis Oct. 9.
Q-and-A on instruction on proper handling of ashes following cremation
In 1963, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued an instruction permitting cremation as long as it was not done as a sign of denial of the basic Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead.
Stellar goal-keeping by La Salle’s Werner leads to Catholic League title
The Explorers, led by junior Brett Werner, earned their eighth Catholic League soccer title and first since 2012 with a tough, 2-1 victory Oct. 29 over rival Roman Catholic, the defending champs.
Archbishop Wood’s championship kick comes courtesy of childhood friendship
Soccer teammates since they were 8, Sofia Filippo and Kylie Menarde teamed up on a goal in overtime to push Archbishop Wood past favored Lansdale Catholic, 2-1, for the Catholic League title win Oct. 29.
O’Hara tops Carroll, captures field hockey title, with 1-0 win
Archbishop Carroll had upset Cardinal O'Hara recently, spoiling O’Hara’s chances of finishing the year undefeated. The Lions won the championship for the third time in four years with the victory Nov. 2.