News
Pope calls for prayers as militants chase all Christians out of Mosul
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' plea for prayers, dialogue and peace came as the last Christian families living in Mosul, Iraq were forced from the city after facing increasing threats, violence and intimidation from the Islamic State group, which has taken control of Iraq's second-largest city.
For Clavius Group, mathematics a means to explore mystery of God
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNS) -- For Jesuit Father Binoy Jacob, a mathematician from India, life is more than numbers, differential equations and complex calculations.
No summer break on debating Common Core standards for schools
The love-them-or-hate-them standards for schools have raised fears among people that Common Core will require Catholic schools or homeschoolers to use materials that go against Catholic teaching. The U.S. bishops offered guidance on whether to accept or reject the standards.
Israel strikes leave Gaza without water and electricity, official says
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Father Raed Abusahlia, general director of Caritas Jerusalem, said July 18 that more than 80,000 Palestinians had been displaced and 1,250 homes have been completely demolished in Israeli airstrikes and the invasion of Gaza in July.
Relic of Pope St. John Paul II exposed at cathedral
All are invited receive a blessing with the relic of Pope St. John Paul II, asking for his heavenly intercession, after all Masses this weekend at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul -- see the full schedule.
Big band tunes to be performed in free concert
A 50-piece band will perform an outdoor concert July 23 at Holy Redeemer Lafayette in Northeast Philadelphia. Area residents are invited to bring lawn chair.
Pope urges Israeli, Palestinian leaders to end Holy Land hostilities
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Expressing his serious concerns over the escalating violence in the Holy Land, Pope Francis telephoned Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging all sides to end hostilities and build peace.
Pope prays for victims of downed plane, urges peace in Ukraine
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Though exactly what happened to Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 remained unclear, Pope Francis offered prayers for the 298 passengers and crew members who died when it came down in eastern Ukraine.
Federal judge rules California’s death penalty system unconstitutional
SANTA ANA, Calif. (CNS) -- A federal judge ruled July 16 that California's "dysfunctional administration" of the state's death penalty system has resulted in "inordinate and unpredictable" delays, rendering the system cruel and unusual punishment, and as such it is unconstitutional.
Religious processions have no room for mafiosi, Calabrian bishops say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics in mafia-infested areas of southern Italy have to stop simply talking about Christ and become "credible witnesses" by purifying popular local celebrations of anything that hints of a mix of Christianity and tolerance for organized crime, said the bishops of Calabria.