News
St. Vincent de Paul members abducted in Syria, whereabouts unknown
The Society has not been able to verify or confirm reports that those kidnapped were being threatened with decapitation and their children were being held in cages.
Pope announces Holy Year of Mercy
At a Lenten penance service, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church's "mission to be a witness of mercy."
Forging uphill, and liking the challenge
St. Basil Academy’s basketball team didn’t win the Catholic Academies League but they have nonetheless advanced to the PIAA state quarterfinal game tonight. Solid fundamentals bolster their stifling team defense.
Court says Milwaukee cemetery fund can be considered in reorganization
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled March 9 that it would not violate the free exercise of religion to consider the Milwaukee Archdiocese's cemetery trust fund in its Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings.
Government reps say Christian survival in Middle East ‘in question’
In a joint statement, representatives of more than 50 countries have recognized that Christians are particularly endangered in the Middle East, and they called on the international community to reaffirm the human right to freedom of religion.
Congress urged to take multi-prong approach to religious persecution
A U.S. bishop who recently visited with refugees in Iraq told a Senate subcommittee March 11 that a multi-pronged approach is needed to combat a wide range of humanitarian problems including religious persecution.
Doctrinal chief says bishops must be accountable in abuse prevention
Bishops of dioceses around the world have an obligation to work to prevent clerical sexual abuse and to ensure that priests in their dioceses do not commit acts of abuse, said Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
‘My pontificate will be brief,’ pope says, reflecting on 2 years of his papacy
In a new interview, Pope Francis recalled the events of his election and said he is convinced God wants the church to focus on better serving families. "I think the Lord wants us to face this."
Brookings study finds higher abortion rates among affluent women
A recent study released by the Brookings Institution in Washington finds that single women whose income is 400 percent of the federal poverty line or higher are nearly four times as likely to opt for an abortion when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
Filipinos join fast for climate justice with Typhoon Haiyan in mind
Participants, meeting in Manila March 11 to prepare for the day of fasting March 27, said their action is meant to call attention to the need for immediate action in the wake of worsening natural disasters.