News
Papal preacher says concern for unborn should extend to poor
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians cannot hope to abolish abortion and euthanasia unless they live out their faith, extending their concern for victims of such practices to those who suffer from poverty, illness and oppression, said the preacher of the papal household.
Mexicans pessimistic that reforms will do little to lift economy
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Shopkeeper Rodolfo Villanueva keeps a close eye on sales at his mom-and-pop store, especially in the fall months, which he has found signal what to expect in the upcoming year.
Church peace initiatives said to be vital to easing Kenyan conflicts
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- Church initiatives to promote peace among Kenya's Turkana and Pokot communities are vital to easing simmering conflicts over recently discovered oil deposits and continuing tensions over grazing lands and access to water, said the apostolic nuncio to the East Africa nation.
Archbishop Wood puts it in gear for second half, emerges with Class AAA state title
The Vikings scored 22 unanswered points after halftime to beat Harrisburg’s Bishop McDevitt. It was Wood’s third consecutive appearance in the state championship game to cap their sixth straight Catholic League title.
The Prep dominates to win state Class AAAA football title
Pittsburgh Central Catholic succumbed to St. Joseph’s Prep’s withering defense and relentless offense in 35-10 rout for the Hawks’ first PIAA championship.
Push for measures to limit gun violence continues despite roadblocks
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Senate's inability last spring to pass a bipartisan plan to expand gun background checks despite strong nationwide sentiment in favor of it is motivating a broad coalition of advocates to promote gun violence prevention laws.
Chinese diocese won’t bury bishop until government returns cemetery
TANGSHAN, China (CNS) -- The Tangshan Diocese announced it would not bury deceased Bishop Paul Liu Jinghe until the government returns a former church cemetery, so government officials took clergy away for questioning Dec. 18.
Catholic leaders repeated call to Congress to help poor throughout 2013
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Fallout from the partial government shutdown in October and another looming round of automatic spending cuts in January kept congressional leaders busy at year's end to finalize a budget deal Republicans and Democrats could live with.
Vatican hires firms to streamline communications, improve bookkeeping
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In an effort to streamline and modernize its communications structures and bring its accounting practices in line with international standards, the Vatican hired two international consulting agencies.
Man seriously injured after setting self on fire in St. Peter’s Square
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A 51-year-old man was severely injured after he set himself on fire in St. Peter's Square. The unidentified man doused himself with gasoline he had carried in a bottle and then lit himself aflame at the end of the colonnade near Piazza Pio XII at 8:30 in the morning Dec. 19.