News
Sister Rose MacDermott, O.S.F., served in diverse ministries for 63 years
Born in Chestnut Hill, Franciscan Sister Rose earned two master's degrees and was a science teacher and spiritual director in ministries spanning four states.
U.S. bishops laud court’s Hobby Lobby ruling, but say fight continues
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Supreme Court's June 30 ruling that certain businesses, based on their religious objections, can be exempted from a government requirement to include contraceptives in their employee health insurance coverage means "justice has prevailed," said two U.S. archbishops.
Archbishop hopes court ruling will have ‘positive impact’ on archdiocese
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput issued a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties cases on Monday, June 30.
Catholics work with other Christians to rebuild a neighborhood
A Habitat for Humanity project in West Philadelphia welcomed parishioners from St. Cornelius Parish, Chadds Ford, plus several other congregations and community groups to rehab old homes. It was a demonstration of ecumenical cooperation at its finest.
Iraqis returning home despite tough conditions, bishop says
A local archbishop said most of the 40,000 Christians who had fled left with just the clothes on their backs narrowly escaped after militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria laid siege to Christian villages outside of Mosul. Most of the families are now returning to their villages.
Time running out to join pilgrimage to Canada
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is sponsoring an eight-day pilgrimage to shrines in Canada and United States. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas will lead the mid-September trip, the registration deadline for which is July 1.
Social ills are result of political, not just moral failures, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Many of today's social ills are driven by a lack of adequate social policies and government support, not just selfishness and moral degradation, Pope Francis said.
Private firms can’t be forced to cover contraceptives, high court rules
UPDATED -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday, June 30 that privately-held, for-profit companies “cannot be required to provide contraceptive coverage” under the Patient Affordable Care Act, the court said in its majority 5-4 opinion. The ruling may have an effect on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's bid to seek relief from regulations known as the HHS mandate.
Pope, giving archbishops palliums, says stay focused on following Jesus
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After placing woolen bands, called palliums, over the shoulders of 24 archbishops from around the world, Pope Francis urged them to trust in God and not seek refuge in power or prestige. “Trust in God banishes all fear and sets us free from every form of slavery and all worldly temptations,” […]
U.S. bishops backed Civil Rights Act, urged people to make it work
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic leaders supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and also urged Catholics to get behind the law to make it work, according to the yellowed pages of typewritten articles in the Catholic News Service's archive folders.