News
Judge: Any state law involving marriage must comply with Constitution
SAN ANTONIO (CNS) -- A U.S. District Court judge Feb. 26 struck down a Texas constitutional amendment that defined marriage as being only between one man and one woman. Judge Orlando Garcia also said it was unconstitutional for the state not to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states.
First married man ordained priest for U.S. Maronite Catholic Church
ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Father Wissam Akiki is the first married man to be ordained a priest for the U.S. Maronite Catholic Church.
Spanish Mass now airing on Univision 65
The televised Mass in Spanish is now broadcast Sunday mornings at 6 a.m. on Univision 65. It is produced by the station, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Hispanic Catholics and the generosity of volunteers, community members and sponsors.
Christian leaders pledge action on high rate of incarceration in U.S.
NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) -- Leaders of Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A., of which the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is a member, issued a pledge to engage the American public on the issue of mass incarceration in the United States.
Focolare offers reflection on passion and death of Jesus before Lent
Members of the Focolare Movement will tell how a deeper understanding of the passion and death of our Lord enables people to deal with the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life on Sunday, March 2 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Philadelphia.
Nuns in Central African Republic reported safe as armed militia retreat
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Catholic church leaders in the Central African Republic said they believe European nuns working in the country are "generally safe," after reports of rape by retreating armed groups.
Vatican releases pope’s Lenten schedule, including penitential service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' calendar of liturgical services for March and April -- including Holy Week and Easter -- includes the addition of a Lenten "penitential service," but does not say where he will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper.
High rate of Bible illiteracy among general population ‘no surprise’
Last year, the American Bible Society showed 57 percent of U.S. adults ages 18 to 28 read their Bible less than three times per year or never. A 2010 Pew survey found only 42 percent of U.S. Catholics could identify Genesis as the first book of the Bible.
Ignorance about marriage is no reason to change doctrine, cardinal says
Just because people don't understand Jesus' word doesn't mean it can or should be changed, said the head of the church's doctrinal office in the Vatican. "It would be paradoxical if the church said, 'Since not everyone knows the truth, the truth isn't obligatory for the future.'"
Youth rally on Sunday aims to help anxious teens trust in God
All Catholic high school-aged students are invited to the Generation Phaith Youth Rally March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which will include live music, workshops, lunch, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession and Mass.