News

Newark coadjutor asks for ‘prayers, patience’ as he learns his new role

NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) -- In one of America's largest gothic cathedrals, more than 2,000 clergy, religious and lay Catholics gathered Nov. 5 with four cardinals and bishops from six states to welcome Coadjutor Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda to his new see during a two-hour Mass.

Photo of the Day

West Catholic Prep's junior quarterback Antwain McCollum sprints upfield during West's win over Neumann-Goretti to capture the Catholic League AA championship Nov. 2. See more photos in our Photo Gallery, and watch for coverage next week of championship football games this weekend in the Catholic League's A, AAA, and AAAA divisions. (Sarah Webb)

Court weighs constitutionality and tradition of town council prayer

WASHINGTON (CNS) — In considering a New York town’s practice of opening council sessions with a prayer, the Supreme Court Nov. 6 raised questions about whether the situation is adequately covered by previous rulings allowing legislatures to open with prayers. The Rochester suburb of Greece was sued by two residents who argued that the town […]

Serve common good, put poor people first in farm bill, lawmakers urged

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic leaders urged members of a Senate and House conference committee that began working on a compromise farm bill Nov. 6 to negotiate a measure "that reflects a commitment to the common good" and puts "poor and hungry people first."

Sainthood candidate an intercessor ‘for all of God’s people,’ says nun

OMAHA, Neb. (CNS) -- The prayers of two religious sisters born in the Archdiocese of Omaha were key elements of the Vatican-approved miracle that led the way to the upcoming beatification of their order's foundress, Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

From New Jersey to the Vatican, opening a dialogue with the Gospel

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Mentoring inner-city youths is hardly the most obvious way to prepare for working at the Vatican, but Father Geno Sylva says the lessons he learned in a low-income New Jersey community have served him abundantly well in his current job as an official at the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

Jerusalem patriarch says church will take legal action to rebuild home

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned the government demolition of a home on church-owned property and said the church would take legal action to "bring back justice and rebuild this home."

Photo of the day

Of apples and immigration.

Share each other’s burdens in prayer, acts of love, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis asked people at his weekly general audience to perform an act of charity by praying for a seriously ill 18-month-old girl named Noemi. "Let's perform an act of love. We don't know her, but she's been baptized -- she's one of us, a Christian," he said, leading the crowd in a moment of silence and then the recitation of the Hail Mary. In his talk he referred to the bond of unity and sharing that should mark the life of Christians on earth.

U.S. bishops say employment bill goes beyond barring discrimination

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a letter to the U.S. senators, the chairmen of three U.S. bishops' committees outlined their opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, saying the legislation "elevates 'sexual orientation' discrimination" to the same level as race discrimination, among other issues. It also does not make a distinction between homosexual inclination and conduct, which they said legally affirms and protects that conduct.