News
Courts give some last-minute relief from HHS contraceptive mandate
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) -- In the midst of their New Year's Eve celebration with low-income elderly residents, the Baltimore-based Little Sisters of the Poor learned that the Supreme Court issued an injunction temporarily protecting them from the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate.
Churches inundated as violence continues in Central African Republic
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Church leaders in the Central African Republic report an increasing humanitarian crisis and warn that international forces, which have been in their country a month, had not secured law and order.
Pope: Time to stop violence, discord, and begin making peace at home
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Welcoming in a new year, Pope Francis said it was time to stop provoking and ignoring violence, tragedy and conflict in the world, and begin building peace at home. “Justice and peace at home, among us — you begin at home and then you move on to all of humanity. But […]
More than 6.6 million attended Vatican events with Pope Francis in 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the first nine and a half months of Pope Francis’ pontificate, more than 6.6 million people participated in papal events at the Vatican, including weekly general audiences, group audiences, liturgies and recitations of the Angelus and “Regina Coeli” on Sundays and holy days. The statistics, compiled by the Prefecture of […]
Judge sets $250,000 bail for Msgr. Lynn after reversal of conviction
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Bond was set at $250,000 for Msgr. William Lynn Dec. 30, four days after an appeals court reversed his conviction for endangering child welfare by his handling of a sex abuse case. His lawyers indicated they would try to secure his release by Jan. 2.
Milwaukee project makes, markets soaps to help former prostitutes
MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- Soothing aromas of peppermint, lavender, gingerbread and lemon verbena waft through the hallways of the Franciscan Peacemakers headquarters in Milwaukee.
Vatican hosts top world leaders, experts to seek end to Syrian war
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Egyptian Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei are among the key political experts invited by the Vatican for a one-day meeting aimed at promoting a cease-fire in Syria, the protection of Christians there and a transitional and unified government.
Response to ‘On Eagle’s Wings’ over the years humbling for composer
Father Jan Michael Joncas has composed more than 300 liturgical songs, but his name is widely known for the one that tops a list of favorites: "On Eagle's Wings."
Istanbul residents recall former neighbor Angelo Roncalli, future saint
In 1958, Archbishop Roncalli became Pope John XXIII; he will be canonized April 27 along with Blessed John Paul II.
Pope: Don’t forget plight of exiles, elderly marginalized by own family
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Just as people must never ignore the plight of today's immigrants and refugees, they must also remember today's "hidden exiles" -- the elderly and other relatives who are abandoned or forgotten by their own families, Pope Francis said.