News
Abuse survivor says new Vatican commission must achieve real change
DUBLIN (CNS) -- The lone clerical abuse survivor nominated by Pope Francis to sit on the new Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said the commission needs to achieve concrete change in order to "show other survivors that the church is going to get it right."
Ugandan priest witnesses great suffering among South Sudanese refugees
ADJUMANI, Uganda, (CNS) -- It has been two months since Father Raphael Ayiga Lebu has had a good night, or a good day, of sleep.
Photo of the day
Pope Francis walks with children during a meeting with Malta's President George Abela, left, during a private audience at the Vatican March 21. (CNS photo/Evandro Inetti, pool)
It’s a go: World Meeting of Families officially coming to Philadelphia in 2015
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year will be open to families and people of different faiths, including no faith at all, to engage the wider society and strengthen all families, organizers said. The gathering Sept. 22-27, 2015, "is meant to be a gift not just for Catholics in Philadelphia, but for every person of good will," Archbishop Charles Chaput said.
Aston students learn about healthy eating at home and school
During an activity March 14, seventh-grade students of St. Francis de Sales School in Aston planned and prepared a meal based on recommendations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The students also created informational displays of the nutritional value of the meal.
Young Catholics flock to old church for Mass Mob
The concept was to take stately old St. Francis Xavier Church in Philadelphia and fill it for one Mass (at least) with vibrant, young adults. The idea worked, they agreed.
Cathedral Mass offers prayers, lifts ‘a dark veil’ on clergy sexual abuse
Archbishop Charles Chaput celebrated a healing Mass for victims and their families March 22 at which he asked for forgiveness and apologized for “all that happened in the leadership” of the community.
Ruling to allow same-sex marriage ‘regrettable,’ say Michigan bishops
LANSING, Mich. (CNS) -- A U.S. District Court judge's March 21 ruling that Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional does not change the fact "marriage is and can only ever be a unique relationship solely between one man and one woman," said the state's Catholic bishops.
Cardinal George out of hospital, is receiving antibiotics for infection
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George was released from Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood the afternoon of March 21, according to a press release from the archdiocese.
Sex abuse survivor named member of Vatican commission
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, four women -- including a survivor of clerical sex abuse -- two Jesuit priests and an Italian lawyer are the first members of the new Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. It will help define the tasks of the commission and identify other potential members.