News
New Gallup poll shows pope’s favorability drops among Americans
A new Gallup poll shows that the favorability rating for the pontiff among U.S. respondents is now about 59 percent, down from 76 percent in early 2014 and close to the 58 percent rating Americans gave him when he was elected pope in March 2013.
Catholic officials, others react to Boy Scouts’ decision to allow openly gay leaders
The Boy Scouts' decision does not affect decisions about leaders made by local troops and councils and also permits religiously chartered Scout troops to choose leaders whose values are consistent with those of the sponsoring faith.
St. Joseph the Worker Church gets a retirement send off
Former parishioners got a last look at the closed Fallsington, Bucks County church during an open house Sunday before the sale of the property becomes final.
World Youth Day registration begins; pope is first person to sign up
Accompanied by two Polish teenagers who wore World Youth Day 2016 T-shirts, the pope had to make a couple of attempts pressing the screen of a tablet before his online registration went through.
Blessed Serra described as missionary ‘on fire’ heeding Christ’s call
To Andrew Galvan, Blessed Junipero Serra is a stalwart of faith and mission worthy of the title "saint."
Appellate panel reverses decision that favored pro-life pharmacists
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals July 23 reversed a lower court ruling that had granted some pro-life pharmacists at a Ralph's grocery store pharmacy in Washington state the right on religious grounds to refuse to stock emergency contraception or fill such prescriptions.
Reauthorization of education law said to put ‘needs of children first’
In reauthorizing the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the House and Senate have made "significant improvements for providing equitable services for students and teachers in religious, private and independent schools," said a U.S. archbishop.
Chicago Archdiocese to benchmark all of its buildings for energy efficiency
"While it is a considerable undertaking, we have to set an example that it can be done and must be done if we are to fulfill our sustainability goals," Archbishop Cupich said of the benchmarking goal.
Church leaders want Israel to step up protection of Christian sites
Although Israeli officials have publicly criticized the June arson attack that seriously damaged the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, anti-Christian violence is not new, said a representative of the religious order.
Road closure rumors are false, mayor says
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter debunked speculation on the Internet of closures for streets, bridges and highways in the city during the visit of Pope Francis in September. The rumors had “no basis in fact,” he said, and vowed official information would come next week.