News
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.
Pope Francis: I’m no Marxist, but no offense taken
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In another wide-ranging interview with an Italian journalist, Pope Francis denied he was a Marxist, dismissed the notion of women cardinals and reflected on Christmas as an occasion of joy, tenderness and hope.
Northeast Philadelphia pastor who had resigned now suspended
Father John P. Paul, the former pastor of Our Lady of Calvary Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, has been placed on administrative leave by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. The move comes in response to allegations that Father Paul, 67, sexually abused minors over 30 years ago.
Art of rare bibles, prayer books on display at La Salle U
One of the Philadelphia region’s greatest collections of historic biblical and religious material dating from the birth of printing and even earlier is housed in the Connelly Library at La Salle University.
U.S. senator, co-sponsors introduce Marriage and Religious Freedom Act
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and 11 co-sponsors introduced a measure in the U.S. Senate Dec. 12 that would protect religious organizations from discrimination by the federal government for supporting traditional marriage.
Ordaining 31 Legionaries, cardinal says they are part of order’s reform
ROME (CNS) -- Ordaining 31 new priests for the Legionaries of Christ, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis told them they were not responsible for the scandals that threatened to destroy their order, but they have been part of the effort to renew and reform the order.
Christians can’t be gloomy because Jesus always brings joy, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Sadness is a sign of being far from Christ because Jesus offers everyone the strength to persevere with hope and joy, Pope Francis said.