News
Legionaries of Christ elect new leaders, apologize to founder’s victims
ROME (CNS) -- Representatives of the Legionaries of Christ, meeting to reform their troubled congregation nearly four years after it was effectively taken over by the Vatican, announced a new slate of leaders and formally apologized to victims of their disgraced founder.
Chester County Catholic school shelters residents without power
Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic School in West Brandywine opened its doors as an emergency shelter Feb. 5 and 6 for people who lost electricity and heat in their homes due to the ice storm that tore through the region Tuesday night.
Villanova U and Rosemont College lose power, shut campuses
The two Catholic colleges on the Main Line succumbed to the ice storm Wednesday, Feb. 5 that left the campuses without power or heat, along with more than half a million PECO residents in the Philadelphia region. The schools will remain closed through Friday while emergency generators provide a minimum of comfort.
Senate OKs farm bill; Obama pledges to sign it
In addition to nutrition programs, the farm bill's provisions cover crop insurance, conservation, subsidies to farmers and overseas food aid. The $800 million cut to the food stamp program in the bill will result in $90 less per month for 850,000 Americans.
Eyeing retirement, Cardinal O’Hara president reflects on career in education
Bill McCusker’s life in Catholic education began in Delaware County schools, and will end there in June when he retires from Cardinal O’Hara High School, where he spent 31 years.
Scotland passes same-sex marriage law, with opt-in for churches
EDINBURGH, Scotland (CNS) -- The Scottish Parliament has passed a bill that will allow same-sex marriages, but religious organizations have the right not to perform them. Lawmakers had rejected pleas from the Catholic Church to oppose the bill and resisted attempts to amend it.
Aston school signing up kindergarteners for fall 2014
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School announces kindergarten registration for the 2014-2015 academic year on Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Judge clears way for Catholic cemeteries’ lease deal
A Philadelphia Orphans Court judge approved the agreement for StoneMor Partners to lease and manage 13 archdiocesan cemeteries. Officials did not cite a date for finalizing the agreement.
U.N. committee presses Vatican on child abuse, some church teaching
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A committee of the United Nations insisted that the Vatican publish detailed statistics on clerical sexual abuse of minors and that the pope should order Catholic dioceses and religious orders to implement all the policies of the U.N. Convention of the Rights of the Child. The U.N. also said the Vatican should "review its position on abortion" and change canon law to allow easy access to it.
‘Troublemaker’ pope reshaping church, but drawing some skepticism
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The pontificate of Pope Francis is still young, but his statements and actions already have given guidance for how simple changes can improve the world, said panelists at Georgetown University.