News
Christmas offers lesson in humility, Pope Francis says
God "descends to earth as someone small and poor," the pope said Dec. 18 in Rome, "which means that to be like him we should not put ourselves above others, but on the contrary ... give ourselves in service, make ourselves small with the small and poor with the poor."
Pope proclaims sainthood of Jesuit companion of St. Ignatius
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis issued a decree declaring one of his favorite Jesuits, Blessed Peter Faber, a saint. The "equivalent canonization" means the pope inserts the name of the new saint in the calendar of saints without verifying a miracle performed through his intercession and without formal ceremony.
Judge says employer objections to HHS mandate based on religious rights
NEW YORK (CNS) -- A spokesman for the New York Archdiocese said the archdiocese "welcomes and applauds" a Dec. 13 ruling by a federal judge granting Catholic organizations in the archdiocese and the neighboring Diocese of Rockville Centre a permanent injunction on having to comply with the federal contraceptive mandate in the health care law.
Minn. Archbishop steps down from public ministry after allegation
St. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis is voluntarily stepping aside from all public ministry, effective immediately, while St. Paul police investigate an allegation that he inappropriately touched a male minor on the buttocks in 2009 during a group photography session following a confirmation ceremony.
Letter says Koch grant to Catholic University sends ‘confusing message’
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Fifty prominent Catholics have signed a letter to The Catholic University of America questioning the decision to accept a $1 million pledge from the Charles Koch Foundation to help fund a new business school. The letter released Dec. 16 contrasts the ideological agenda of industrialists Charles and David Koch with Catholic social teaching.
Pope celebrates birthday by having breakfast with homeless men
Updated - VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As part of a low-key celebration of his 77th birthday, Pope Francis had breakfast with three people who live on the streets near the Vatican. A small dog, belonging to one of the homeless men, was also on the guest list.
Belgian bishops deplore vote to allow children to choose euthanasia
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Belgium's Catholic bishops have deplored a parliamentary vote paving the way for sick children and dementia patients to choose euthanasia. "The voices of religious leaders have plainly not been listened to," said Jesuit Father Tommy Scholtes, bishops' conference spokesman.
Minn. archbishop says news of clergy abuse rightly met with ‘shame, outrage’
UPDATED -- EDINA, Minn. (CNS) -- Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis, at the invitation of a parish pastor, apologized for the archdiocese's handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations in a homily delivered at two Dec. 15 Masses at the parish church.
Catholic schools win two state football championships
Archbishop Wood captured the PIAA Class AAA football title over the weekend, while St. Joseph's Prep won the class AAAA championship. Both schools defeated other Catholic high schools in the state finals, and in similar fashion with come-from-behind wins.
Warrington church performs live Nativity
Students from the St. Robert Bellarmine parish youth group, PREP and St. Joseph/St. Robert School, Warrington, performed the live Nativity play, “O Come, Let Us Adore Him,” Dec. 12.