News
Ban of gender-based abortion passes first vote in British Parliament
British doctors insist aborting baby of girls because of their gender is legal under Britain's 1967 Abortion Act. A new bill prohibiting sex-selective abortions would end the ambiguity by explicitly making them illegal.
Catholic Life Congress inspires, energizes today’s saintly catechists
About 900 women and men braved bad weather but enjoyed the speakers at the annual archdiocesan congress. Parish leaders and regular parishioners learned how they are saints as members of the church.
Pope confirms retirement age of 75 for bishops
While all bishops offer to resign at age 75, those who are not cardinals and are working in the Roman Curia automatically end their service on their 75th birthdays, said a new document from Pope Francis.
Today’s teaching on the family
See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Winter’s early arrival challenges Iraqi Christians who fled militants
Sister Habiba's kindly face is etched with sadness as she surveyed the muddy field where dozens of tents sheltering displaced Iraqi Christians once stood.
Ethicists blast tech firms’ offer to freeze women’s eggs
Offers by Facebook and Apple to pay for young women to freeze their eggs for future use was met with strong objections by pro-life leaders, who call it a corporate gimmick. Give parents better options for raising children now, suggested a Philadelphia bioethicist.
Institute officials outline alternatives to in vitro for infertile couples
Catholic couples struggling to conceive a child might not know they have other options than the in vitro fertilization procedure many doctors recommend. But there are natural and effective approaches to infertility.
Friends of St. John’s face uphill challenge in Manayunk
Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish in Philadelphia's Manayunk section want to raise $450,000 to make urgent repairs on the iconic 120-year-old church, and $2 million for all the needed work. The church is the main worship site for three merged parishes.
Today’s teaching on the family
See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Cardinal says mergers tough to take, but address shifts in population
In a long-awaited but nonetheless stunning announcement, the Archdiocese of New York said Nov. 2 it would merge 112 of its 368 parishes into 55, effectively shuttering at least 31 churches by Aug. 1, 2015.