News
To live poverty, learn finance, Vatican tells religious
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Taking a vow of poverty should not mean living in ignorance of the economic realities of community life, Vatican officials wrote in a letter to members of religious communities.
After court strikes down buffer zone, Massachusetts approves new law
Attorneys for pro-lifers in Massachusetts have decided not to do anything yet about the new buffer zone law around abortion facilities that Gov. Deval Patrick signed July 30. A pro-life group called the law "punitive, unnecessary, misdirected and vindictive."
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church closes in West Philadelphia
The church built in 1887 had been a worship site of St. Cyprian Parish since last year, and became a prohibitively expensive building to maintain. Rather than jeopardize St. Cyprian, Archbishop Chaput accepted the request of the pastor and parishioners to close the site.
CRS official: Gaza a ‘complete catastrophe’ on ‘brink of collapse’
A top Catholic charity official described Gaza as a "complete catastrophe" after nearly four weeks of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas.
Bill would protect faith-based adoption agencies against discrimination
Two lawmakers July 30 introduced a measure they say is needed to protect faith-based agencies that provide adoption and foster care services from discrimination based on their religious beliefs.
On eve of pope’s visit, Americans in South Korea build Catholic faith
Maryknoll Sister Jean Maloney first arrived in South Korea to work as a nurse after the Korean War ended more than 50 years ago.
Scandals causing more Germans to leave Catholic Church, cardinal says
A German cardinal warned that the number of Catholics leaving his country's church is "alarmingly high" and urged an end to "scandals and vexations" involving clergy.
Chinese bishop urges Catholics to hold firm as religious symbols removed
Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang of Wenzhou has written an open letter to Catholics in the diocese, asking them to defend their "rights and dignity" during a campaign by the local government to demolish religious symbols.
Bishop says saint’s remains have spiritual power to heal, move hearts
The mortal remains of St. Marianne Cope found a final resting place in Honolulu's Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace July 31, welcomed back in an exuberant two-and-a-half hour celebration of prayers, songs, gestures, reflections, dance, flowers and incense.
‘Great War’ brought Catholics, bishops into mainstream of U.S. society
World War I was dubbed "the Great War" because of the near-global scale of the fighting.