News
Parishes in South Phila. and Delco begin planning process
Annunciation B.V.M., St. Nicholas of Tolentine and St. Rita of Cascia parishes in South Philadelphia, plus Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton Heights and St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Drexel Hill, will plan for sustainability in their areas.
Ukrainian Catholics don’t expect much from pope-patriarch meeting
While differences still exist and muted optimism marks the meeting of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox leaders, finding a way to help persecuted Christians in the Middle East is seen as the biggest issue.
Negotiating table is only way to bring peace to Syria, pope says
"With great concern, I am following the tragic fate of civilians caught up in violent battles in beloved Syria and forced to abandon everything to flee the horrors of war," Pope Francis said Sunday in Rome.
Pope says he goes to Mexico as a ‘missionary of mercy, peace’
"I want to be as close as possible to you, but in a special way to those who suffer, to hug them and tell them that Jesus loves them very much, that he is always at their side," he said.
Charlotte priest Super Bowl-bound; Catholic players invite him along
A Philadelphia native of Irish descent, Father Mulligan has ministered to the Catholic families in the Panthers' organization since the team joined the NFL and played their first pre-season game in 1995.
Death penalty limbo: Supreme Court, states give laws another look
This year, several states are looking at legislative reform of the death penalty and some are considering repealing it. In early February, both Delaware and Florida announced they were halting executions until the states' Supreme Courts determine the constitutionality of death penalty laws.
Open God’s heart with prayer, pope tells Padre Pio Prayer Groups
The pilgrims were in Rome for the Year of Mercy and a week of special events that included veneration of the relics of St. Padre Pio and St. Leopold Mandic, both Capuchin friars who often spent more than 12 hours a day hearing confessions.
Celibacy helps priests to ‘travel light,’ serve freely, cardinal says
Giving the keynote address Feb. 6 at a conference on priestly celibacy, Cardinal Parolin said the call to celibacy is not "antithetical to marriage," but rather a different way of giving one's self completely in a loving relationship.
From gangs to God: Mexican youths hopeful for papal visit
Caught in a cycle of violence, substance abuse and crime in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, some youths are getting scared and turning to God, and finding churches with open doors. Pope Francis will visit the city Feb. 17.
European bishops cheer EU’s move to call Islamic State acts ‘genocide’
The European Parliament moved to classify atrocities as genocide of Christians and other minorities by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush agree.