News
Pope might have to buy a drink for soldiers’ bishop
In a military tradition, a bishop with the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services gave Pope Francis a unit coin. If the next time he and the archbishop meet and the pope doesn't have the coin, he agreed to buy wine.
Registration opens for women’s gathering this fall
The 2016 Catholic Women’s Conference, postponed for the World Meeting of Families, is back on track for a full day in Doylestown on Saturday, Oct. 29. More than 900 attended the last conference in 2013.
Countries asking for help to handle millions of refugees
At this month's World Humanitarian Summit, countries and aid organizations, including Catholic agencies, will seek aid for the 50 million refugees and 40 million displaced people they are hosting.
Holder calls for slavery reparations in Georgetown talk
The former attorney general, spurred by a conversation in Philadelphia, said reparations policies -- not necessarily cash -- increase "opportunities for everyone and (are) better for the nation as a whole."
Peace advocate Father Daniel Berrigan dies at 94
Once arrested for damaging missiles at the GE plant in King of Prussia, the Jesuit priest's protests led to several stays in federal prison. His poetry inspired generations of peace activists since the early 1960s.
Northern Ireland bishops want voters to ask about abortion, poverty
Catholics at Masses were urged to question candidates about their parties' policies on abortion, child poverty, climate change and the right of Catholic organizations to receive government funding.
Act against Islamic State attacks on Christians, group implores U.N.
A petition signed by more than 400,000 people called on the United Nations to take legal action to stop the brutal attacks of ISIS upon Christians and other religious minorities.
He follows the fishermen’s steps toward priesthood
Since he was a kid, Thomas O'Donald loved spending time on the water at Rehoboth Bay fishing, crabbing, boating. As a priest to be ordained May 21, he will soon be fishing in the manner of the apostles. See the next in our series on the four men to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Pope: ‘Severely punish’ child abusers worldwide
Speaking at St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for an end to child abuse and called for a respect for the cease-fire in the war in Syria, which has seen a recent escalation of violence.
Reconciliation with God and others is key to peace, pope says
As he does frequently, the pope pleaded with priests to be welcoming and patient in confession, recognizing how hard it is for people to face their sins and acknowledge their need for forgiveness.