News
Groups decry rising abortions for babies with disabilities
One organizer sees what "seems like the targeted elimination of an entire segment of the population," while some parents face criticism for raising disabled children. "Perfection has become what is expected," said a bioethicist.
Father Stephen White, civil lawyer and parish priest, dies at 62
Ordained in 1986 and known for his "brilliant" mind and ability to weave old songs into his homilies, he had been retired due to health reasons.
Sister Emily Wright, math teacher for 30 years, dies
Two Catholic high school bands will perform for Pope Francis
The Cardinal O'Hara and Bishop Shanahan bands will play music as the pope arrives in Philadelphia on Sept. 26 and when he departs the following night.
Immigrants, youth build papal furnishings for NYC visit
Day laborers and court-directed youths, who are "close to the heart of Pope Francis," are making the altar, ambo and chair he will use for the Mass at Madison Square Garden.
76ers, Villanova coaches build peace through hoops in Holy Land
Sixers coach Brett Brown and Villanova men's coach Jay Wright ran basketball clinics and conflict-resolution seminars in Jerusalem and Ramallah, West Bank for a week.
Across the Aisles: Warming up with the Papal Choir
Some of the 500 members of the choir that will sing during the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis Sept. 27 in Philadelphia rehearsed for the first time at the cathedral.
Pope Francis to use Abe Lincoln’s lectern in Philadelphia
The simple walnut stand used by President Lincoln in 1863 to deliver the Gettysburg Address will be used by the pope for his speech at Independence Hall in the city Sept. 26.
Dozens of Christians feared to be among 230 kidnapped in Syria
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syria-based activist Bebars al-Talawy said they have no information where militants took their captives after overrunning the heavily populated town of Qaryatain. Al-Talawy put the number of Christians abducted at 60.
Pope recognizes martyrdom of Syriac Catholic bishop killed in 1915
Signing the decree recognizing the martyrdom of Syriac Bishop Flavien-Michel Malke clears the way for his beatification. Pope Francis signed the decree Aug. 8.