News

New Hampshire bishop supports state bill to repeal death penalty

CONCORD, N.H. (CNS) — Bishop Peter A. Libasci of Manchester declared his support of a bill in the state Legislature that would repeal the death penalty in New Hampshire. “What we must call for in a civilized society is not retribution but restitution,” Bishop Libasci said at an Oct. 24 press conference in Concord, the […]

Five Catholics acquitted of disorderly conduct at N.Y. drone base

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Five Catholics protesting U.S. drone warfare policies said they were stunned but relieved to be found not guilty of disorderly conduct for their roles in an Ash Wednesday demonstration at an upstate New York air base. "We were like, really?" said defendant Ellen Grady, a Catholic Worker from Ithaca, N.Y.

Franciscan Sister Ann Amrhein, longtime teacher in Harrisburg, Philadelphia

Sister Anne Amrhein, O.S.F., 87, (formerly Sister John Casimir) died Oct. 24 in Assisi House, Aston. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Anne was born in Baltimore where she was a member of St. Elizabeth Parish and a graduate of the Catholic High […]

Sister Apollonia Morelli dies at 97, ministered for many years in N.J.

Sister Apollonia Morelli, O.S.F., 97, died Oct. 21 in Assisi House, Aston. Born Anna Morelli, she was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and later moved to Jersey City, N.J., where she was a member of St. Aedan Parish and a graduate of St. Dominic Academy. In 1931 she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood, a congregation […]

Franciscan Sister Gabriel Lee, taught nearly 60 years in Trenton, Harrisburg dioceses

Sister Gabriel Lee, O.S.F., died Oct. 21 at the age of 90. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 68 years. Sister Gabriel was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and a graduate of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls […]

Sister Catherine Donohue, S.S.J., served as spiritual director

One of eight children born to Joseph and Mary Donohue, Kitty grew up in Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown and attended the parish grade school and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School. Her pastor encouraged young Kitty to consider religious life. Even at an early age, Kitty gave witness to her growing deep faith. […]

Sister Mary Waldron, S.S.J., was immigrant from England

Sister Mary Waldron, formerly known as Sister Ann Gabriel, died Oct. 15 at St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown. Her funeral followed on Oct. 22. Sister Mary was born in England to an English mother and an Irish father. Her parents and two siblings found their way to Camden, N.J., where Mary grew up and attended Camden […]

Cardinal O’Hara HS celebrates renovated gym

More than 150 people attended the unveiling of Cardinal O’Hara High School’s newly renovated gymnasium Oct. 19. Father John Flanagan celebrated Mass during the event, which also honored former coaches Jim Purcell and Maryann Nespoli. Phase one of the renovations took place last summer and included a new floor, new bleachers and new scoreboards.  Cardinal O’Hara looks […]

Religious leaders ask Obama to move faster on normalizing Cuba ties

A letter to President Barack Obama called for a three-point plan to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba, including initiating high-level dialogue with the Cuban government; removing Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism; and lifting all restrictions on "people-to-people" travel between the U.S. and Cuba.

New pro-life group aims to ‘Reach Philadelphia’ to reduce abortions

The focus on respecting life, especially the lives of unborn children, has been a constant in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Despite the efforts of many Catholics to build a culture of life in the Philadelphia region, almost half of Pennsylvania's abortions in 2011 occurred in Philadelphia. Reach Philadelphia plans to engage in a mass media campaign to promote life and offer help to women considering abortion.