News
15,000 rally in Ireland, pledge to work for repeal of abortion law
Ahead of local and European elections set for May 23, speakers encouraged supporters not to back politicians that supported the laws which, for the first time in Ireland, permit abortion in certain circumstances.
U.N. Committee Against Torture asks Vatican about sex abuse scandal
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Appearing before a U.N. committee monitoring adherence to an international treaty designed to fight torture, Vatican officials repeatedly were asked about efforts to investigate allegations of clerical sexual abuse, punish offenders and cooperate with civil authorities in prosecuting the perpetrators.
Help on the road to health
Parents with sick children have enough on their minds without adding hotel bills during their stay for treatment at a hospital. So the Kolbe Fund – named for an Exton boy who is beating cancer – was begun last year to help families like his.
Cardinal O’Malley: Sex abuse panel to stress accountability, education
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The new papal commission for protecting minors from clerical sex abuse will recommend stricter standards for accountability of abusers and those who fail to protect children, and will fight widespread denial of the problem within the church, said Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston.
Cardinal: Officials who support abortion should not receive Communion
ROME (CNS) -- Catholic politicians and judges who support laws in conflict with church teaching on abortion, euthanasia, marriage and related issues commit "sacrilege" and cause "grave scandal" if they receive Communion, said Cardinal Raymond Burke.
Hopes rise that pope, patriarch meeting renews Christian unity effort
ROME (CNS) -- The Orthodox bishop who is coordinating the meeting of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Pope Francis May 25 in Jerusalem said he expects the two leaders will discuss the predicament of Christians in the Middle East, conservation of the environment and defense of the traditional family.
Neumann-Goretti basketball champions earn praise of Pa. legislators
State Reps. Bill Keller and Maria Donatucci presented House citations to the teams at the state Capitol April 28 in recognition of the success of the boys' and girls' teams this year.
Fourth graders dig into Easter baskets, make gifts for seniors
The 22nd annual service project of the fourth graders at SS. Simon and Jude School, West Chester, invited the children to use some of the candy from their own Easter baskets to make 100 baskets for members of the West Chester Senior Center.
Immaculate Heart sister who served at St. Katherine in Wayne dies at 91
One of eight children of an Easton, Pa. family, Sister M. Ann Dorothy Gittings, I.H.M., served in archdiocesan schools and her home parish's school.
Dominican sister who gave retreats in Elkins Park dies at 104
Dominican Sister of Peace Josefina Rivera-Ortiz was a native of Puerto Rico. In addition to serving at Dominican Retreat House, she also worked at the Dominican Residence for Women in Philadelphia.