News
Three Israeli teens found dead, pope consoles families
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis expressed his participation in the "unspeakable suffering" of the families of three kidnapped Israeli teens whose bodies were found June 30 in Hebron, West Bank. After the boys' bodies were found, Israeli military launched what it described as "precision strikes" on 34 sites in the Gaza Strip.
Appeals court upholds legality of same-sex marriage in Utah
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that struck down Utah's same-sex marriage ban, opening the door for the issue to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sister Dorothy Epple dies at 86, was primarily a teacher
The Franciscan sister spent 30 years mostly in York Catholic High School plus schools in the Trenton Diocese and Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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.