News
Philadelphia Archdiocese sues Obamacare’s ‘mandate’
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its Catholic Charities affiliates sued three agencies of the U.S. federal government Monday, June 2, seeking relief from the so-called “HHS mandate” that requires health care coverage for contraception. Church agencies face fines of $1,600 per day for non-compliance, or violation of Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life if they comply.
Ignatian Volunteer Corps offers way to serve others, grow in faith
Ignatian Volunteer Corps, a national service organization that places retirees with community groups that serve the poor, is a Jesuit-run program founded in 1995 that has 465 retirees working with more than 400 partner groups in 20 cities.
Jesuit priest working with former refugees kidnapped in Afghanistan
ROME (CNS) -- A Jesuit priest from India was kidnapped June 2 as he was leaving a school serving children who were recently returned to Afghanistan after living as refugees in Iran or Pakistan.
Kidnapped Canadian sister, Italian priests released in Cameroon
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- From Cameroon to northern Italy and from Montreal to the Vatican, statements expressing "great joy" accompanied the news that a Canadian sister of Notre-Dame and two Italian missionary priests were released unharmed almost two months after being kidnapped in northern Cameroon.
Spanish bishops praise abdicating king’s defense of democracy
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- King Juan Carlos of Spain received a tribute from the country's bishops after he announced his decision to abdicate in favor of his son.
Sponsor says aim of bill on ‘wrongful birth’ suits to protect disabled
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., has introduced the Every Child Is a Blessing Act to combat "wrongful birth" lawsuits and prevent discrimination against children born with disabilities.
American-born nuncio sees new enthusiasm among young Irish Catholics
DUBLIN (CNS) -- Young people are helping lead a rebirth of the Catholic Church in Ireland, said the American-born papal nuncio serving in the country. Archbishop Charles J. Brown described the rebirth as the spring after 20 years of winter, saying he sees "green shoots."
Lansdale Catholic seniors ready for graduation this week
The archdiocesan high school will award diplomas to 210 seniors on Tuesday, June 3 at at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown. A Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated Monday night, June 2, at St. Stanislaus Church, Lansdale.
Clergy assignment changes announced
Archbishop Chaput announced 86 changes in assignments for priests, including parish pastors, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia June 1.
Pope, at charismatic rally in stadium, invites them to Vatican in 2017
ROME (CNS) -- Meeting more than 50,000 Catholic charismatics in Rome's Olympic Stadium, Pope Francis admitted he was not always comfortable with the way they prayed, but he knelt onstage as they prayed for him and over him by singing and speaking in tongues.