News
Chaldean patriarch says extremism threatens Christians and Muslims
ROME (CNS) -- "Extremist political Islam is growing in the Middle East," prompting Christians to flee and causing death and upheaval among Christians and moderate Muslims alike, said the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
Archbishop finds two of seven priests suitable to return to ministry
Final decisions by Archbishop Charles Chaput on the status of seven priests swept up in the wave of suspensions following the 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report on sexual abuse of minors were announced Sunday, Dec. 15 in a statement by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Nativity scene near Philadelphia City Hall to be blessed Dec. 18
The Christmas Crèche Committee invites everyone to join in the 17th annual blessing of the Nativity scene Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. in Love Park across from Philadelphia City Hall.
‘Jesus the Homeless’ sculpture may find home in Rome
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A year ago, Timothy Schmalz’s bronze sculpture “Jesus the Homeless” had been rejected by St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto. But in late November, Pope Francis blessed the sculpture at one of his weekly general audiences in front of thousands of eager pilgrims. The pontiff […]
Father Burgoyne, a Dachau liberator, Shakesperian scholar and pastor, dies at 87
Father Sidney C. Burgoyne, 87, pastor emeritus of St. John Fisher Parish in Boothwyn and a World War II U.S. Army veteran who saw service in Germany, died Dec. 6. He taught English in high schools and St. Charles Seminary before being named pastor.
Latinos show love for Our Lady of Guadalupe in pageantry and prayer
Gratitude, honor and a spirit of joyful motherly love pervaded the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe vigil Mass Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Nearly 1,000 parishioners in the Philadelphia Archdiocese processed to the cathedral for the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Chaput.
Indian prime minister apologizes after Christian marchers beaten
During a Dec. 11 march, police with batons charged and beat up several Christians protesters. Undeterred, the protesters, including Catholic priests in cassocks, knelt on the road with crosses in hand, and a police truck mounted with water cannons sprayed them with muddy water several times.
Hush up before Christmas, pope says, because God speaks in whispers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- If silence is not one of the sounds associated with Christmas preparations, chances are people will miss an experience of the love and tenderness that is at the heart of the holiday, Pope Francis said.
Two Omaha priests found guilty of abuse, face Church sanctions
OMAHA, Neb. (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Omaha has found two archdiocesan priests -- in separate cases -- guilty of sexual abuse of a minor and administered ecclesiastical penalties, dismissing one from the priesthood with Vatican authorization and removing the other from active ministry and sentencing him to a life of prayer and penance.
Pope says peace is impossible without fraternity based on Christ
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his first annual message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Francis writes that peace and social justice are impossible without a spirit of fraternity based on recognition that all men and women are children of God -- a relationship fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.