News
Black Catholics’ history, heritage given special notice each November
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Black Catholics have made their mark on the Catholic Church in its more than 2,000-year history and the U.S. church's observance of Black Catholic History Month each November calls to mind those contributions, an official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said as the special observance for 2013 was coming to a close.
Priest says ministry in L.A. prepared him for strife-ridden Egypt
CAIRO (CNS) -- A Comboni priest ministering to young people in Cairo refuses attempts by well-meaning colleagues and friends to brand him "a hero." "To be a hero, go to South Central L.A.," he tells them, referencing the 12-years he spent in Los Angeles working with homeless people and juvenile gangs beginning in 1991.
To better evangelize, Pope Francis turns church’s gaze within
Bishops repeatedly cited the threat of militant secularism in a post-Christian West. But in writing "The Gospel of Joy," Pope Francis focused mostly on the shortcomings of the church herself. He pointed out problems that impede the church's mission to "elicit a positive response from all those whom Jesus summons to friendship with him."
Pope expected to proclaim sainthood of Jesuit companion of St. Ignatius
The decree is likely to take the form of an "equivalent canonization," in which the pope inserts the name of the new saint in the universal calendar of saints without verifying a miracle performed through his intercession and without holding a formal canonization ceremony.
Bishop Thompson dies at age 90; recalled as ‘good friend, holy priest’
CHARLESTON, S.C. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop David B. Thompson, who headed the Diocese of Charleston from 1990-1999, died Nov. 24. He was 90. Bishop Thompson was a native of Philadelphia, a graduate of West Catholic High School and ordained a priest for the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
High court to hear cases on HHS mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Nov. 26 to take up two cases that challenge provisions of the Affordable Care Act requiring employers to provide contraceptive coverage on behalf of for-profit companies whose owners object to the mandate for religious reasons.
Governor touts state transportation bill on Montco parish lawn
St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Norristown, was the setting for Governor Tom Corbett's signing of a new $2.4 billion state transportation funding bill Nov. 25.
Sister Eleanor Francis dies at 95; served in Franciscan order for 73 years
Sister Eleanor Francis Filist, O.S.F., died Nov. 25. She ministered primarily in education and especially in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where she served for nearly 50 years.
Pope says only men can be priests, but women must have voice in church
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church is not going to change its position on the inadmissibility of women priests, Pope Francis said, but it does have to stop linking all decision making to ordination and allow women to have a voice in deliberations. In his apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”), […]
Long journey from Africa began with faithful steps and a dream
Hard work, some helping hands and his strong faith led economics professor Richard Mshomba to 25 years at La Salle University and a recent award as an outstanding African-American leader. His journey began in Tanzania and continues today with his wife, family and friends on two continents.