News
French bishops ask what has been learned since Charlie Hebdo attacks
"Have these tragic events provoked some genuine awakening, and have we offered perspectives for the society of tomorrow by learning lessons from the past?" asked a Jan. 6 statement from the French bishops' conference.
Lebanon strains under weight of refugees, but keeps accepting them
"They are everywhere ... in all of Lebanon," said a priest working in Lebanon about the presence of Syrian refugees in the country, which is two-thirds the size of Connecticut. Up to one in four inhabitants are from Syria.
Pope establishes Syriac Catholic exarchate in Canada
The exarchate, a church jurisdiction similar to a diocese established for Eastern or Orthodox Christians living outside their native land, will have its seat in Montreal, the Vatican announced Jan. 7.
Ohio parish rebuilds two years after being destroyed in a tornado
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, congratulated the congregation on the accomplishment of rebuilding the sanctuary and reminded them that they are also living temples of the Lord.
California bishops saddened that drive to overturn physician-assisted suicide fails
Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, in a statement issued Jan. 5, said that the bishops were heartened by the tens of thousands of Californians who "are demanding to have a voice in one of the most dangerous public policies ever enacted" in the state.
Guatemalan educators come north to learn from Benedictine counterparts
Two administrators from the Benedictine school visited Fort Smith in December to learn more about the American education system, both public and private, and get ideas on how to improve their own programs.
Archbishop Chaput celebrates Mass on saintly predecessor’s feast
On St. John Neumann's feast day Jan. 5, the archbishop called for justice on the issue of immigration. After Mass, people venerated the remains of Philadelphia's fourth bishop beneath the altar at St. Peter the Apostle Church.
Past head of worldwide Bon Secours Sisters dies at 82
The past superior general of the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours and past provincial of the order in the United States is recalled as a visionary leader in Catholic health care.
Vatican press officer to speak at Cardinal Foley lecture
Father Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt + Light television network and English language assistant to the Holy See Press Office, will speak on the communications media and the church at St. Charles Seminary Feb. 1.
University City parish’s soup kitchen wins grant money
St. Agatha-St. James Parish, in conjunction with a neighborhood outreach coalition providing food and health care to the poor, was awarded $500 by the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.