News
Pope internationalizes Vatican financial watchdog agency
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis named a slate of new members to the Vatican's financial watchdog agency, replacing an all-Italian panel with members from Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.
In unusual step, Mexican archdiocese turns in priest accused of abuse to police
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- A priest in north central Mexico has been stripped of his position by the Vatican and faces criminal charges in connection with alleged sexual abuse of a teenage boy. The case marks the first time the Catholic Church in Mexico has turned a priest in to authorities.
Ireland investigates report of children buried at former religious home
DUBLIN (CNS) -- Revelations that nearly 800 babies died in a Catholic home for unwed mothers run by the Bons Secours nuns in the west of Ireland from 1925 to 1961 and were possibly buried in unmarked graves in a disused septic tank has put renewed focus on such homes.
Detroit Catholics give high marks to parishes, voice concerns for future
DETROIT (CNS) -- Parishioners generally like their parish and their pastor, and think the Archdiocese of Detroit is fulfilling its mission, but could be doing more for youth ministry and vocations, according to the results of a survey.
Hamels Foundation gives $10K to Northeast Phila. Catholic school
St. Jerome School will open a new STEM lab (science, technology, engineering and math) in September with the grant from the foundation of Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi.
Conference examines church’s need for new generation of lay ministers
The organizer of a national conference said young people are interested in lay ministry, but hesitate to enter formation programs because of the lack of jobs for lay ministers. "We need a next generation of ministers to take the place of folks that are in parishes right now," she said.
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.