News
Deacon beloved in black Catholic community and beyond is laid to rest
Deacon Thomas A. Shields, 85, was buried at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Philadelphia, where he had lived and ministered for many years. He was a soldier in Korea and warden in the Philadelphia prisons.
Catholic Charities Appeal will expand to benefit more ministries
Archbishop Chaput announced a new goal of $15 million for the annual appeal. The first $10 million raised will go toward serving the poor of the region, while an anticipated $5 million will fund other programs in the archdiocese and parishes.
Enjoying ‘paczki’ on Fat Tuesday prepares soul for the ‘sacrifices of Lent’
The foot-tapping melodies of Polish-style polka music that greets patrons as they enter the Kiedrowski family's bake shop says that old-world hospitality is at hand.
German, Austrian bishops urge their countries to keep accepting refugees
"We need a reduction in numbers, but fixing an upper limit would be difficult," Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier told the Trierischer Volksfreund daily Jan. 27.
Rapid biotech progress risks focus on profit, not ethics, pope says
Biotechnology in the medical field must "never be used in a way that is harmful to human dignity nor driven only by manufacturing and commercial aims," he said in an audience Jan. 28 with members of the Italian National Bioethics Committee.
Pro-life law firm defends California center in Planned Parenthood suit
Thomas More Society, a nonprofit public interest law firm, said Jan. 20 that Planned Parenthood's lawsuit against the center's founder, David Daleiden, and his fellow undercover investigators is tied to the National Abortion Federation's existing attempts "to shut down free speech and to cover up evidence of the abortion industry's crimes in aborted baby parts trafficking."
Chaldean patriarch details acts of discrimination against Christians
In his written text, Patriarch Sako said the current "miserable situation" in Iraq was due to the "intervention of external 'players'" with their own ambitions in the region.
Follow example of Pope Francis, church leaders say at eucharistic congress
The pope's envoy to the congress, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, told reporters Jan. 27 that the Eucharist should compel people to share with the less fortunate.
Religious freedom is being challenged in fundamental ways, say speakers
Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said the fundamental problems include "the decoupling of our basic freedoms from the search for truth."
Iowa priest goes viral for celebrating Mass for snow-bound group
Although there were about eight priests available to celebrate Mass, the honor of principal celebrant went to Father Behm, "probably because I had my travel Mass kit," he speculated.