News
Elections, marriage and confirmation texts among bishops’ agenda items
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Elections for a new president and vice president, a discussion and vote on a Spanish-language book of prayers at Mass, and a proposal to develop a statement on pornography are among the items awaiting the U.S. bishops when they gather in Baltimore for their annual fall assembly.
Vatican ambassador tells U.N.: ‘Without life, all other rights are meaningless’
UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — In remarks Oct. 18 to a U.N. General Assembly committee focusing on the promotion and protection of children’s rights, the Vatican’s nuncio to the U.N. said, “Without life, all other rights are meaningless.” Archbishop Francis Chullikatt was commenting on a U.N. report on child mortality, which concluded that the U.N.’s goal […]
Vatican’s media adviser offers ‘Top 10’ ways to understand Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- No matter how some media may want to spin it, Pope Francis won't fit into the political categories of left or right, and he will challenge everyone with the truth of the Gospel, said the Vatican's media adviser. "The pope's picture should have one of those warning labels" much like a pack of cigarettes, said Greg Burke, but with the words, "Danger: This man could change your life." Burke offered his take on decoding the pontiff with his own rundown of "Pope Francis in 10 Words."
Woman who left upscale life to minister to prisoners as nun dies at 86
TIJUANA, Mexico (CNS) -- Mother Antonia Brenner, a mother of seven and one-time Beverly Hills neighbor of movie stars, died Oct. 17 at the headquarters of the religious order she founded after she gave up her comfortable lifestyle to live among and minister to prisoners. She was 86.
Gov. Christie drops appeal of ruling to allow same-sex marriage in N.J.
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) -- New Jersey's governor withdrew his appeal of a state judge's ruling allowing same-sex couples to marry, saying through a spokesman that he "strongly disagrees" with the court "substituting its judgment for the constitutional process ... or a vote of the people," but acknowledged such marriages are now "the law."
Vatican official reaffirms teaching on divorced, remarried Catholics
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican's highest doctrinal official reaffirmed church teaching barring divorced and remarried Catholics from receiving Communion without an annulment of their first, sacramental marriage. But the official acknowledged that many Catholics' first marriages might be invalid, and thus eligible for annulment, if spouses had been influenced by prevailing contemporary conceptions of marriage as a temporary arrangement.
St. Charles Seminary will retain, rebrand college program
A task force appointed last March to analyze the viability of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary’s College Division has unanimously recommended that the division remain open, the seminary announced Tuesday, Oct. 22. Although plans still call for the closure of the 285,000 square foot college building, the program itself will receive a renewed focus "as a college that has a unique mission – to form young men in accord with a program of priestly formation, apart from the Theology Seminary which is quite successful as well," said the rector, Bishop Timothy C. Senior.
Pennsburg parish sits down for a meal and talk with priest-chef
St. Philip Neri Parish's pastor praised the new life evident at the Catholic Family Life Center, converted from the former parish school. He invited a priest with a popular televised cooking show to talk to parishioners on a Sunday afternoon about the value of sharing meals together as a family.
St. Charles Seminary’s open house offers afternoon of public tours
Seminarians will serve as hosts and tour guides as St. Charles Borromeo Seminary opens its doors to the public for the annual open house Sunday, Oct. 27. Visitors can choose from tours to view artwork treasures from the seminary’s collection or explore the daily life of seminarians and learn about educational programs open to the […]
By declining case, high court allows monks to make, sell simple caskets
UPDATED - NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- By declining to review a lower court's ruling, the high court Oct. 15 left standing what Benedictine Abbot Justin Brown has known in his heart for the past six years: The Benedictine monks of St. Joseph Abbey in Covington are not breaking the law by handcrafting plain cypress caskets and selling them to Louisiana residents.