News
In unusual video, pope speaks of his longing for Christian unity
A Pentecostal pastor Pope Francis knew in Argentina recorded on a video on an iPhone in which the pope said all Christians share blame for their divisions. He insists God will bring the miracle of Christian unity to completion.
Van brings pregnant women a real alternative to abortion
Bishop John McIntyre blessed a new van Feb. 18 that Catholic Social Services will use to provide mobile care for women in crisis pregnancies. It is part of a program of the Real Alternatives agency and a state/federal partnership.
Japanese bishops say Catholics’ minority status challenges faith life
In their published response to the Vatican survey on the family, Japan's Catholic bishops said, among other findings, that most Japanese Christians end up marrying non-Christians, pray mostly as individuals, and are "overwhelmed by society's values."
Charismatics host healing Mass at Northeast Philadelphia church
A Charismatic Mass and Healing Mass will be celebrated Friday, Feb. 28 at St. Martha Church in Northeast Philadelphia.
Former prisoners rely on faith, support to get back on their feet
After doing prison time, men feel like everything is stacked against them. A Catholic-run halfway house in Nashville gives them a legitimate shot of rebuilding their lives.
Nun, two activists go to prison for protest at nuclear weapons facility
An 84-year-old Holy Child sister and two others admitted cutting through a fence at a Tennessee nuclear weapons complex, hammering off a chunk of the warehouse and praying. They said their actions were motivated by their faith and the necessity to end what they consider the evil of nuclear weapons production.
Pope, Ukrainian church leaders call for end to violence in Ukraine
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After a night of violent confrontations between protesters and police and the deaths of more than two dozen people, Pope Francis and Ukrainian church leaders called Feb. 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commitment to dialogue for the good of Ukraine.
Lay people lead faith formation groups at Buckingham parish
Spreading the faith and teaching it are the goals of two groups, led by lay women, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Participants are “living out the missionary aspect of their role as lay faithful -- to go out in the world and make disciples,” said a parish priest.
Bishops with local ties named to Vatican congregation
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis confirmed the top leadership of the Congregation for Eastern Churches and named among its new members Byzantine Archbishop William C. Skurla of Pittsburgh and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and an Allentown native who studied at St. Charles Seminary.
Jesuit scholar recalled for sharing love of Gospels as teacher, priest
WESTON, Mass. (CNS) -- Jesuit Father Daniel J. Harrington, one of the world's leading New Testament scholars, who died Feb. 7 after a four-year battle with cancer, "changed my life," recalled Jesuit Father James Martin.